Nourish Your Heart

This morning I was reminded of how much God loves me. My small group is reading “Crazy Love” (www.crazylovebook.com) and this week’s chapter is on “Jesus Loves Me”. While meditating on Jeremiah 1 from the book, I remembered the verse given when my son was born. John 1:13 “They did not become his children in any human way—by any human parents or human desire. They were born of God.”

This verse was to remind my husband and I that our son was not born because we had planned it or because we had desired it. This tiny baby was born with a purpose, God’s purpose.

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work.” Even before I was pregnant, God had plans for my son. His plans are what shape the desires and talents of my son.

These plans God has for us are mind-boggling. He is a God who is large and far-reaching. He is a God who knows me so intimately that he knew what he wanted me to do for him before I was made. He knows me. He understands me. He believes I am capable of carrying out his plans for me. Why? Because he gives me the desire to do his will. He gives me the power to do his will. He gives me the knowledge and the wisdom I need to do his will. He gives me what talents I need to do his will. I can no longer hesitate on the sidelines with a desire to do more. He compels me by his love to move forward into his work for him.

Peterson, in his introduction to John, has this to say: “Jesus doesn’t impose salvation as a solution; he narrates salvation into being through leisurely conversation, intimate personal relationships, compassionate responses, passionate prayer, and – putting it all together – a sacrificial death.”

When I look at my children I see some of Jesus in them. I see them showing God’s love to others through leisurely conversation. I remember when my middle daughter was in high school and the many times she was emailing or talking to her friends. She would have this passion in her eyes as she spent time discussing with them how much God loved them. I see my youngest daughter spending time she might have used to rest or study for classes, but instead she spends it in long conversations with students. I see the care my son uses to choose words to express his thoughts.

I see the compassion my son will show when considering the plight of others. I see the compassion my daughters also show for others. We are the light of this world. We are how God shows his love to the people of this world. We show this love for others when we take the time for leisurely conversation. We show others God’s love when we have intimate personal relationships with God ourselves and with each other. God’s love is revealed in our compassionate responses to others, whether in helping after disasters or forgiving them their acts toward us. We show God’s love through us when we spend time in passionate prayer.

God has a plan for us. He knew us before we were even made. He gives us desires, talents, wisdom and knowledge to carry out his plan for us. Then he gives us the strength to carry out those plans. He gives us the words we need to share. And he never leaves us alone. Why?

It is because he loves us. It is because we are born of God. We are God-Begotten.

I’m astounded and amazed At the price you paid I’m astounded and amazed At the sacrifice you made.

I’m astounded and amazed That Jesus died for me In all love and forgiveness His glory I will see.

Astounded and amazed Each moment of the day How your blessings flow Astounded and amazed in every way

Praise and blessing I lay down at your feet Ever astounded and amazed I bow at your mercy seat.

Astounded and amazed Your glory and grace Lifts me up Until I see your face.

The holidays are upon me. Again I am nearing Thanksgiving, a holiday known for family time and thankfulness. Then the season for gift shopping and parties spreads out before me culminating in a solid week of “holiday” busyness. Sometimes it seems too much.

This year has been a year of changes. This has been a year when the world around me reels with blow after blow of economic crises. I have lost my job as many others have this year. It is not just a personal crisis. The whole nation is filled with people concerned for their jobs and keeping their family fed and housed.

There are many others who have experienced illness and loss of life. There are those who are concerned about what is happening to this nation as a whole. My discouragement seems to be the normal reaction of many people. There are changes in this country so widespread it seems impossible not to be discouraged. I have heard many who do not trust those in power and fret about what will become of this country.

Out of necessity I turn to God for hope and peace. I look for the evidence of love. When I look at everything I have to do and need to do to get a new job, I need hope. I need to know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. When I am faced with new challenges at every turn. When I face my own disappointment in my abilities and myself. When I see my children struggling with health issues and money issues. Then I must choose to turn to God in trust.

He is the one who is my salvation, my refuge and my fortress. He is the one who gives me peace in the midst of a storm. He is the one who heals our diseases and forgives us our iniquities. He is the one that I can turn to when I need hope. He is my hope.

So this holiday season, I turn to God to provide love in my heart for others. I turn to God to provide means of support for my family. I turn to God to provide peace in my heart in spite of the news or the hopelessness of some situations.

I believe God can create miracles in the midst of despair. I believe God can find companionship for those who walk this life alone. I believe God can provide income for families who need it. I believe God can provide hope for those people hardened by their circumstances. I believe God will work things together for good. I believe he will provide for us here and take us to him when it is time. I believe he has given us desires to work his will in us and he will give us the means to obtain those desires.

I believe in God, the creator, the healer, the provider, our father.

Lamentations 3:21-24 But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.

Philippians 4:13 whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Psalm 43:5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.

Psalm 46:1-3 God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake, before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us. God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.