4GIVEN

“Now unto Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever” (Eph 3:20–21.) We must approach God from the perspective that it’s already done. Hebrews 11:6 says, “He who comes to God MUST come believing that He is a reward of those who diligently seek Him.” When you bind faith and hope together with love the impossible becomes possible! Ex nihilo means “out of nothing” and that’s exactly where the dawn of creation commenced!! Sometimes, God will allow you to be stripped down to nothing so that He can make something good out of you or the situation that you are going through! This is why Paul said, “Now unto HIM who is ABLE………!”

On Valentines Day, we show our love;
We express our deep affections.
Those who are important to us
Get cards and sweet confections.

But Christian love is not just for
The ones we hold most dear;
Jesus said “love everyone;”
He made that very clear.

For Christians, it is every day
We should care and love and serve
Everyone we meet in life,
Whether they do or don’t deserve.

Let’s follow Jesus’ good command
To love everyone we meet.
Valentine’s Day every day
Will make life twice as sweet.

By Joanna Fuchs

Sometimes your heart can become so desperate that it’s difficult to hear God’s voice. You yearn for _________(FITB), but the lies and fear circling in your head and heart are so loud, it’s difficult to distinguish the voice of God from the enemy. Together (lies & fear) they try to convince you that you will never be enough and that God can never use you. Well, I am a living witness that God is greater than your worried hearts and knows more about you than you do yourselves (I John 3:18-20)! I know that life can be difficult however; it’s incumbent on us to remember that our trials are temporal and God’s love for us is eternal. Yes and glory to God because we are chosen, righteous, holy, marvelous, and deeply and immensely loved with mercies that are brand new everyday! So, today if your heart condemns you and fear is overwhelming you remember God IS greater than your heart and the light of His love drives out all fear. He does this, even though He knows everything you’ve done, all you’ve ever thought, and all you ever will do in the future.

You are a masterpiece carved by the Master’s hand to live out His master plan that was scribed before the beginning of time!

“Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. 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! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.” Ephesians 3:20

#EstBeforeTheStartofTime

“Hurry with your answer, GOD! I’m nearly at the end of my rope. Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me! That would be certain death. If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I’m all ears, all eyes before you. Save me from my enemies, GOD — you’re my only hope! Teach me how to live to please you, because you’re my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.” (Psalm 143:10 MSG)

In Matthew 19:23-24 we once again find the disciples astounded and somewhat perplex regarding Jesus’ metaphorical illustration about the comparison of rich man, a camel, a needle, and the Kingdom of Heaven. Then in v26 the Bible says Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Experience teaches us that the unexplainable things in life presents opportunities for us to to trust God more with our lives. If salvation which was gifted to us was made possible through the bloody rugged cross what makes us think the God of the impossible won’t show up in our pain, disappointment, frustration, troubles, and problems? Let me be clear, in context all things are made possible means “only God can save sinners and give them eternal life.” No human being can hijack this power, in salvation or in any other matter. Therefore, our response should always be that of humility, submission, and trust!

I read this today; “Ships don’t sink because of the water around them. Ship sink because water gets inside of them. Moral of the story, don’t let what’s happening around you get inside of you and weigh you down.” Adding to this Proverbs 12:25 reminds us that, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” 1 Peter 5:7 also taps us on our shoulders and says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” And lastly Paul texted us in Philippians 4:6-7 and said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace that surpasses all understanding [will cause your ship to float] and also will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”

Through Jesus Christ’s irresistible love we discover that we are divinely placed on this earth to follow and accomplish God’s will, plan, and purpose in our lives through the help, convictions, teaching, and direction of the Holy Spirit!

Yes, if you have not turned your life over to God, He is waiting on you.

“Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.” (2 Peter 3:9 MSG)

God doesn’t measure nor does He rate sin based on frequency nor severity. In other words, in God’s empirical righteousness, if you sin in your heart 1X you are as guilty as serial killer. According to St. Augustine of Hippo sin is “a word, deed, or desire [thought] in opposition to the eternal law of God.” So what is God’s eternal law? In prefacing the ‘Shema Prayer’ found in Deut 6:4, Jesus said in Mark 12:29-30, “Hear O Israel, You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus had to continually remind the Pharisees of their inability to keep the Law of God. He was trying to get them back then as well as us today, to see our spiritual bankruptcy and our need for a Savior. Without the cleansing of sin that He provides, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of the redeemed, authentically loving God to any degree is impossible.

So, you can live what you ‘consider’ a flawless life but if you fail to love God and your neighbor as referenced above you will have broken every command you so painstakingly work to keep!