“You let distress bring you to God, not drive you from Him?  The result was all gain, no loss.”  (2 Cor. 7:9)

 Does distress drive you closer to God?  Does it push you into His comforting arms or does it put a wedge between you and your Father?  Do you blame Him when things don’t go the way you planned – when the struggles seem to have no end?  Do you question His goodness or do you trust Him, absolutely and completely, no matter what life throws your way?  Do you trust that God can and will make something beautiful out of your life, your pain, your distress?

 Life can be so frustrating.  Just when you think life is good, easy, you are thrown another curve ball.  It honestly never seems to end – this cycle of joy and pain continually going round and round. 

 That’s life.  It really is – for all of us.  Let’s accept that, and in light of that, knowing that our Father will bring good from the pain, may we run into His comforting, loving and always open arms – at all times and in all things.

 “And now isn’t it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God?  You’re more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible!  Looked at from any angle, you’ve come out of this with purity of heart.”  (2 Cor. 7:11)

“Watch What God does and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.  Mostly what God does is love you.  Keep company with him and learn a life of love.  Observe how Christ loved us.  His love was not cautious but extravagant.  He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us.  Love like that.”  (Eph. 5:1-2)

I love this!  “Mostly what God does is love you.”  That’s his main job, next to holding the world together.  And for Him, it is not a difficult task.  Hard to believe, because I think we’re not always the easiest to love.  But in spite of every failure, every insecurity and every rejection, He still loves us. 

 If you want to be like Him, if you, too, want to live a life of love, then you need to hang out with Him.  Let His love rub off on you.  We don’t love Him just because He is great and awesome, more than any other thing, “we love Him because He first loved us.”  That’s what the word says. 

 My granddaughter, Azlyn, was having a conversation with her mom recently.  Amy said to her, “Who do you like to hang out with the most?”  Azlyn said, “Omi and Opi.”  Amy asked her why.  She said, “Because Opi really loves me.”  (Hopefully she was including Omi in that too.)

 We want to be around people who love us, who accept us for who we are and who genuinely want to be with us.  That is exactly the kind of love God has for us.  “His love was not cautious” (as ours tends to be) “but extravagant.”  Freely poured out.  Unlimited supply.  Oh that we would know the height, the depth, the length and the width of the love of God.  It cannot be measured.  It cannot be snuffed out.  It was and is freely, lavishly poured out on you, whether you receive it or not – it’s still there for you.

 “He didn’t love us in order to get something from us, but to give everything of himself to us.”  That is so beautiful.  His love is so different from ours.  We often love to get, and if we don’t get it, we sure ain’t gonna give it.  But God loves us no matter what we do with that love.  No matter how much we reject it; no matter how much we trample on it, His love remains.

 And in that unfathomable love, He offers up ALL of Himself to us.  He holds nothing back.  He wants to give us His heart, His thoughts, His wisdom, His passion, His Spirit.  It’s all there, being held out to us as the greatest offer you’re ever gonna get.

 Our words are important.  The Bible says that, “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Prov. 18:21) Wow, that’s a lot of power.  Think about that.  That little thing inside your mouth is a very powerful instrument.  It can be used for both good and evil.

 We’ve all heard the children’s rhyme, “Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  A cute rhyme, but we all know this is not really true.  We’ve all been the recipients of hurtful words and sometimes those words can hang on for a lifetime, causing us pain or insecurity.  And I’m sure all of us have spoken cruel words, at one time or another, or more often than we would like to admit, that we wish we could take back.  But unfortunately, words can never be taken back. 

 In Ephesians 4:30, we are instructed to not grieve the Holy Spirit.  This verse is right smack in the middle of two verses that deal with the words we speak towards others.  The previous verse says our words should only be spoken if they build others up.  It the Message it states, “each word a gift.” 

 Are your words a gift to the people around you?  My mom often said, “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say it at all.”  I think I need to be reminded of this often, for to control the tongue is a very difficult thing.  In fact, James devotes a whole chapter to this subject of taming the tongue. (James 3)

 We need to be reminded that when our words curse others, when we gossip or put others down, we grieve God’s Spirit.  We may think those words only hurt the recipient, and often we don’t really mean those words, we just blurt them out in a fit of anger, but really we hurt God, most of all.

 Those one’s we curse are His creations.  In his eyes, they are beautiful and absolutely loved.  I also believe these words grieve God because He knows our words have much more power than we think.

 For example, if you always tell your child he is a jerk, then he’ll probably start acting like one.  A child, who has been told they’re ugly, all their lives, will always struggle with identity.  I have personally seen this in the lives of some girls.  Girls, who in my eyes are very beautiful, but who can’t see it and can never receive a compliment, because they never received that affirmation from their own parents.  Thankfully, God can restore such a one.  He can bring healing and new worth to them, as he speaks His words of life and love over them.

 So I would encourage us to begin to think about our words.  Let’s ask God to stop us before we say things we will regret.  Let’s begin to speak blessing with our words – yes, even when that car, in front of you, cuts you off  - even when someone jerks you around.  Instead of saying what comes naturally, like, “What a jerk,” let’s say, “I bless you.”

 Help us Lord.  We can’t do this without you.

As maybe many of you have seen, Rob Bell came out and declared his support for homosexual marriage.  He says, “I am for fidelity.  I am for love, whether it’s a man and a women, a woman and a woman, a man and a man.”  He basically says that this is the culture we live in now, so we might as well get on board with this.

 This really saddens me and I just can’t sit by and say nothing.  I want to be one who takes a stand for truth.  I have seen recently, others in the church, going down this road as well and I ask myself why?  Where have we gone astray?

 I believe this started when we tried to make Christianity “cool” by becoming “seeker sensitive” – by not calling sin, sin, thinking this is called “love.”   Well, love is not love that does not confront or tell the truth.

 Jesus never promised that everyone would accept His message.  In fact, He said the “message of the cross is offensive to those who are perishing.” (1 Cor. 1:18)  The world cannot understand the gospel.  The Bible says it is “foolishness” to them.  Jesus said the gospel would divide people, even families.  He said, “If they rejected me, do you think they won’t reject you?”  Jesus also said, “If you live a godly life, you will suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12)

 The church has tried too hard, for too long to make the gospel “relevant.”  In doing so, we’ve watered down the truth.  We’ve begun to accept things that are not “truth” or leave out truth, in order not to offend the world.  This is so wrong.

 Jesus said “Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matt. 7:14)  We need to get back to the word.  We need to get back to the Truth.

 I don’t care what some “so called Christian leader” says, no matter how well known.  If it doesn’t line up with the Word, it’s not truth. Period.

 We must be like the Bereans, who were commended for not believing everything they were taught, but they sought the Scriptures to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11)

 The Word is truth and that is the only thing as believers we can stand upon.

 We are not called as a church to be “relevant” to the world, but to be “set apart.”  That doesn’t mean we can’t be normal, fun-loving people.  If Jesus lives inside of you and you are filled with His Spirit, that’s exactly what you’ll be. 

 When His Spirit takes up residence within you, He fills you with joy, peace and love.  He makes you a better person.  A new creation.  The Bible says the “world will know we are Christians by our love” (John 13:35) and so we must love.  Yes, we must love.

 But that doesn’t mean we cannot call what God calls sin, “sin.”  I know some may find it hard to understand, but you really can “hate sin” and still love the one who sins.

 I know some, in the name of Christianity, have voiced “hate” for homosexuals and that is wrong.  We are called to love them and every one in this world.  Honestly, those people who voice hate for others are almost certainly not followers of Jesus.  As I said, “A follower of Christ is one who loves.”  If you do not consistently love people, then you can’t say you belong to him.  That’s what the word says.  “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.” (1 John 4:20)  Those are strong words, but that’s what God says.

 But in saying this, I’m not saying we should not confront sin.  If you as a parent never confronted or disciplined your child, you would not be a very loving parent, would you?  If you really loved them you would do everything in your power to stop them from pursuing things that would lead to their destruction.

 That’s exactly what Jesus did for us and what he wants us to do for others.  Jesus came to rescue us and to bring us life.  He came to save us from death and destruction.  He did this because He loves us so much!  He did this for all mankind.  He offers the gift of life to ALL.  You don’t have to work for it.  You just say “Yes” to it.  You just take that gift.  And as we do so, every sin is forgiven and we go from death to life. 

 God really is good.  He is not out to ruin our fun.  He longs for all to be saved and for those who belong to Him He says, “There is no condemnation.” (Romans 8:1)  He rescues us and sets us free.

 Every truth in His Word, every command, is given out of love.  He knows what’s best for us.  He knows what hurts us and what hurts others.  Every command He gives is meant to protect us and help us.

 He says “no” to sex outside of marriage, to adultery and to homosexuality, because he knows these things hurt us.  Not because He’s trying to prevent us from having fun, but because He loves us.  He loves us.  He loves us.

 As His Church, this is a wake up call.  We need to get back to the word.  We need to take a stand for truth.  We need to remember that the “wisdom of this world is foolishness in comparison to the wisdom that comes from God.” (1 Cor. 3:19) His ways and thoughts are not our ways. (IS. 55:8-9)

 I would encourage you to get into the word.  Seek God with all your heart and do not allow your heart and mind to be pulled into the philosophies and thinking of the culture around you.

 If it doesn’t line up with the Word of God, then “reject” it.  Pray for the church to stand for righteousness – IN LOVE.

 Lord, fill us with Your love.  Rid us of that man-pleasing spirit and help us to “speak the truth in love.”

 “And I will make a covenant of peace with them and it will be an everlasting covenant.”  (Ezekiel 37:26)

 We are in an epidemic of anxiety and stress, and it’s no wonder when one looks at the mess of this world and the busyness of our lives.  There is much to be anxious and stressed about, if we allow ourselves to dwell on things and circumstances around us. In fact, many, in today’s day and age, both in the church and without, struggle with anxiety, panic and depression.

 Oh how we need peace.  Peace is not something we can buy.  O, I wish it were that easy. It is not something for which we can strive.  No one can give us peace.

 Peace is something that comes from the inside.  It is a sense of rest and wellbeing, a feeling of contentment and joy, even in the midst of great difficulty and strife.  It is something, which cannot be robbed by outward circumstances.

 In Isaiah 54:10 it says, “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, but my covenant of peace will not be shaken.”

 Peace stands firm, even in the midst of disaster.  Peace allows us to rest, to trust, to not fear, to sleep, as Jesus did, in the middle of the storm.

 This gift of peace is offered to all of us who belong to Christ.  It is readily available to each and every one of God’s children, for Jesus Himself is called the Prince of Peace.  When we become children of God, Jesus takes up residence with in us; therefore peace becomes part of who we are.  His peace resides inside of us.

 Why is it then, that we often struggle with lack of peace, with anxiety, worry and fear?  It is because, instead of focusing on the one who gives us peace, instead of trusting in Him, no matter the circumstance, we allow the circumstances to overwhelm us.  We become fearful, forgetting who He is, forgetting that He is for us, He is with us, He is good, and so on.

 Philippians 4:6 says that we are to be “anxious for NOTHING.’  Nothing means nothing.  Absolutely nothing should make us anxious.

 How do we overcome anxiety?  Philippians 4:6-8 tells us.  “But in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Let Him know what’s going on.  Ask for His help and thank Him for how He’s helped in the past and for how He is going to help you now.

 And then, “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts (your emotions) and your minds in Christ Jesus.” His peace will protect your thoughts and your emotions.  It will allow you to rest without anxiety or fear.  It will enable you to “rejoice in the Lord always!” – in good and bad.

 Life is full of up’s and downs.  Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer (don’t let it get you down) for I have overcome the world.”

 Ultimately, everything is going to work out for our good.  That’s a promise we can take to the bank!  Through Christ, we are overcomers.  Through Him, we have the victory.

 Focusing on our problems does us no good.  The only thing it does is to steal our joy and fill us with anxiety.  Our attention needs to be on Jesus, on the Kingdom of God and on living for Him and His purposes.  When we do this, Jesus promises to meet every need.

 So may we keep our eyes fixed on Him.  May we keep our minds fixated on the goodness and the promises of God.  May we allow His peace to fill us, so that we may live lives free of anxiety and worry.

 “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – thing about such things.”  (Phil. 4:8)

“And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them.”  (2 Cor. 5:15)

 My prayer is, “Help me not to live for myself, as my tendency is to do, but may I live for Jesus.”  How do I do that?

 Jesus ministry was to reconcile the world to God.  He paid the price, so that we could have relationship with God, so that we could become part of His family. 

 If we are to live for Jesus, we are to do the same, to make it our goal to reconcile the world to Him.  This is His heart.  He is a lover.  He willingly gave up His life, because He loves us and He desires that no one should perish.  His desire is that no one should be entrapped by the evil one.

 Christ died so that we, His creation, could walk in life, freedom and intimate relationship, as we were created to.  If we desire to live for Him, then we must do the same.  We must not sit idly by while the world around us goes to hell and becomes enslaved to the enemy.  We have so much to offer.

 We are called and we are empowered.  “Freely”, the word says, “we have received.  Freely”, we are told to “give.”  What have we been freely given?  The ability to preach the good news, heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons.”  We’ve all received this.  Let’s believe it and let’s release it. 

 Let’s give it away – freely – with confidence, knowing that Jesus already took that sin and disease and affliction upon Himself at the cross.  These things were already defeated.  Satan was crushed at the cross.

 We are just called to decree this and to enforce what Christ has already accomplished.  These things (healing, forgiveness, and freedom) are the will of God.  He wills all to be set free, whole in body and walking in newness of life. 

 The word of God says that if we ask anything according to His will, He will answer.  Now sometimes that answer will not come right away.  Often we need to persevere, but if we will not give up, I believe God will answer, when our hearts are set upon the truth, in faith, that Jesus did accomplish these things for us.

 Jesus told us to pray, “Your will be done.  On earth as it is in heaven.”  That, right there, is the will of God – “ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.”

 God desires to release heaven on earth.  He does that through us, His children.  He needs us to rise up – to get serious about living for Him and His Kingdom.

 It’s so easy to get caught up in the opposite – “living for me.”  But let’s ask God to stir up our hearts once again “to no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who died for us.”

 “Saving is all His idea, and all His work.  All we do is trust Him enough to let Him do it.  It’s God’s gift from start to finish!  (Ephesians 2:8 The Message)

 “No, we neither make nor save ourselves.  God does both the making and the saving.”  (Ephesian 2:9 The Message)

 Why did God create mankind?  Was it just for something to do, because He felt like fashioning something?  Were we created as some kind of divine experiment?  No, God made us because He desired to have relationship with us. 

 He created us with freewill, giving us the ability to either love Him or reject Him.  He did this, because He desired to have real relationship with us and pour out His love on those who would choose to receive it. 

 That’s what real relationship is.  It’s not a forced thing.  It’s a give and take.  It’s a freely giving of one’s heart to another.  Sometimes that love is not received, and in most cases, when that happens, we pull away.  But God did not; He offers His love to all and continues to do so. 

 Above all things, God is a God of love.  More than any other thing, He desires love.  It’s crazy when you think of it.  Jesus is in this beautiful, perfect and loving relationship with the Father and the Spirit.  And yet, that was not even enough.  He was filled with so much love, that He just had to give it away even more.  He had to create ones He could pour out love on.  One’s who could choose to love Him back.  In doing so, He took a great risk that those same creations would absolutely reject Him and trample all over His heart. 

 Just as God’s greatest desire is to love and be loved, are we not the same?  Is not close relationship and marriage one the highest things we strive for?  For most young people, that is one of their greatest longings, to find a spouse, a soul mate, who will complete them. 

 We were created in the image of God.  And just as He is designed for love and intimacy, so are we.  We can find some of that fulfillment in loving, healthy relationships with our fellow human beings, but there is so much more.    A spouse cannot and will not fill that place that only God was meant to fill.  Nothing and no one can. 

 We will only be truly fulfilled when we are living in a place of intimacy with our Creator.  I know you’ve heard it said, that we have a God shaped vacuum in us.  Well, we really do.  There is a place in every one of us that only God can fill, and if that place is empty, than everything else in our lives will feel that void. 

 When God created man, every day He would come and hang out with them.  He would walk with them and talk with them.  That’s what He wants.  But then men messed up that chance for intimacy with God and from there on in, all were born separated from God.

 But thankfully, God didn’t leave us in that place.  He stepped in!  He saved us and offered us the chance to get back into that intimate relationship.  This is His gift to us.  We don’t do anything to earn it.  We can’t.  We just receive it.

 He doesn’t just save us from death.  He doesn’t just offer us eternal life, as if that is not enough.  He offers us so much more.  He offers us abundant life.  He changes us, making us completely new.  He sets us free.  He fills us with the Spirit.  He gives us hope, peace and love.  He gives us free access to His heart and His thoughts.  I could go on and on about all that He offers to us.  He is such a good Father.  Nothing blesses Him more, than to bless us. 

 I get so grieved and frustrated when I hear the attitude of people who hate God and Christianity, when I know He is so good.  I get it.  I understand the reasons.  Yes I know some “Christians” and some “churches” have messed up the view of what God is really like, and that’s sad.  But that is not God!

 God is nothing but faithful, and good and loving.  If His “followers” are not living lives of love, then they’re probably not His followers.  The Bible states that the world will know we are Christians by our love.  As a Christian, if you do not love people, then I don’t know whom you think you’re following. 

 God loves all – every one of us messed up people and He desires all to be saved and brought into this love relationship.  He gave up everything so that would be possible.  Have you received His free gift?

“That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse.  We have far more important things to do with our lives.  Each of us is an original.”  (Galatians 5:26)

 It is so easy to get caught in the trap of comparing ourselves with others.  This either puffs us up with pride or, for the most part, deflates us, causing us to want to give up.  We look at someone else’s gifts and think, “That’s no fair. Why didn’t God give me that?  I can’t do that.  I can’t minister like that, so I might as well not even try.”

 We tend to think that ones who are more gifted must either be closer to God or must have done something to earn that.  Maybe if we just try harder, pray harder or get closer to God, He will give us more. 

 This is a depressing cycle to live in.  It does no good to compare ourselves with others.  All it manages to do is bring discouragement and it takes our focus off the right things.

 I love how this verse states, “We have far more interesting things to do with our lives.”  Like what?  Like being faithful with the little God has given us.  We all have gifts.  We just have to find them and learn to be content with how God made us. 

 God says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.  Marvelous are His works.”  That’s us!  He calls us His “masterpiece.”  His “work of art.”  We are ALL beautiful and unique.  We all have a work to do.

 That work may seem small.  That’s okay.  What you deem small may actually be huge, in the eyes of God.  God just wants you to use what He has given you, for His glory.  He wants you to offer up the five small loaves and fishes so He can make something incredible out of it.  And He will!!  He is the God of multiplication and abundance. 

 What you have is not too small.  God made you “perfect” for the job He’s given you to do, whether that is being a “light” to your co-workers, day in and day out, at a factory or an office, whether that is being home all day, loving and taking care of your children, whether you go to the ends of the earth to preach the gospel.  One is not greater than the other, as long as you are doing what God has called you to do.

 Always remember, you are His unique, beautiful masterpiece.  “You are an original.”

“Use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.”  (Galatians 5:13 The Message)

 This is the opposite of how many view freedom.  To most, “freedom” means being free to do whatever pleases “me.”  To be free to do “nothing”, to refrain from work, to do whatever I want, with no restraints - in other words, the freedom to serve myself and my needs and desires.  But that is not how God sees freedom.  That is not bona fide freedom.

 Freedom comes when we put others first – when we serve one another in love.  That may not seem like freedom, but it really is.  You know that feeling that you get when you make a difference in the life of someone else?  There’s no greater feeling.  Jesus said, “It’s more blessed to give, than to receive.”  It’s so true. 

 Giving doesn’t deplete you; it actually fills you up.  Serving ourselves, day in and day out, leaves us feeling unfulfilled.  Ask Solomon.  He had it all – riches, women, power, prestige – anything he wanted, and yet, he called it all “empty and meaningless.”

 This is what the world strives for – to have it all – wealth, power, prestige and fame.  But, “having it all” does not bring the joy and happiness we so strive for.  It is only in putting other’s first - your family and those “in need” around you, that you will find real fulfillment and joy.

 Jesus knew that.  He, who is greater than all, came to give it all – His very life and breath.  He came to this world to save us, to serve us and to love us.  He gave up everything for us – we, who deserve it in the least.  But He saw the beauty in us and said, “You are worth it.”

 We need that same revelation.  We need to see the “beauty” in those around us, in the “unlovely” of the world and we need to give our lives for those ones.  That’s where we will find true freedom.  “That’s how freedom grows.”

“Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of; bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus attractive to all.”  (Philippians 1:9-11)

 Does your life, the way you live it, the way you treat people, the way you talk, the way you work and play, make Jesus attractive to all?  Does your life cause people to take notice and give glory to God?  Does your life cause the people around you to want to have what you have?

 So much of the world has been turned off by the hypocrisy of the church.  I know that some of this is just a perception, but have we really been the light?  Have we shared His love?  Are our lives full of the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control?  Do our lives draw people closer to God or further away?  These are questions we must all continually ask ourselves.

 As His children, we are called to live lives of love – “a lover’s life.”  This is our greatest mandate.  Love God and love others.  Jesus was our example.  We are told to “live a life of love, just as Christ love us and gave Himself up for us.”  (Eph. 5:2)  

 That’s what love is – the giving of yourself to another - the laying down of your life, your time and your desires to serve and love another.  Love is more than a feeling; it’s an “act.”  If you say you love someone, but never do anything for that one, you don’t really love them at all. 

 Jesus loved us by giving up His life for us.  He lay down everything, including His very life.  He, the very Son of God, came not to be served, but to serve.  That’s love.  There is no greater love.

 Let Him be your example.  Let His love fill you “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”  Then you can’t help but love the ones God brings into your life, even the “unlovely.”  If you do this, I promise, your life will make Jesus attractive to all.