Abiding in God's Love Part.3

About a week ago, as the Lord was speaking to me about His love he reminded me of the exchange he had with Peter in the book of John, Chapter 21, verses 15-19.

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. Once more he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time.  He said, “Lord, you know everything.  You know I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep….”

I thought of many different aspects of this passage.  I thought about John who quietly observed this conversation.  How there was probably the scent of fish and smoke on their clothing.  I thought about how Peter’s understanding brought tears to his eyes.  I thought about Jesus’ word use of lambs and sheep.   I thought, “Was Jesus asking me to feed and take care of his lambs and sheep?  And in what capacity does Jesus wanted me to do this in? And after reading the passage a couple times through, I noticed Jesus wasn’t asking Peter if he loved Him more anyone else love Him but He was asking Peter if he loved his family/friends more then he loved HIM (Jesus)?  Did his family and friends take precedence over Him (Jesus)?

But most of all it came down to the words….”Do you love me?”

“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Matthew 22:37

Remember what I shared with you before?  I cannot love the Lord my God with my heart, my soul and my mind unless I accept and submit to God’s love first.    

1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.”

Acceptance and submission to God’s love… is a great benefit in finding peace in all the unknowns in life... is it not?   Abiding in God’s love we are made perfect in hope, faith, and love. Note: 1 John 4:18

“Do you love me?”   These red-hot words were rivets to anchor Peter to the ROCK of his faith (JESUS).  They would anchor is faith in the most difficult and trying times.   We know this because Jesus concludes this part of the exchange with:

 “The truth is, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go wherever you wanted to.  But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will direct you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know what kind of death he would die to glorify God.  Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

Most people in this world find it hard to understand how death might glorify God because God is the one who is suppose to save us and heal us.  If God loves us why do Christians die?  Why do Christians suffer?   Why do Christians go through challenges and trials in life?  They don’t understand that even when bad things come in life, God can turn them into something good.  He can build a stronger relationship with a person in the trials and circumstances in life then if they went through nothing at all.  Does God still heal?  Yes!  Does God still do miracles?  Yes!  Does it mean God doesn’t love us when we face troubles in this temporary life? No! God faithfulness and love endures forever.  

What would you say if a person knew they were going to die of cancer but trusted in Jesus every step of the way down that path?  How about those who don’t give up Jesus Christ knowing they will die for their faith?  People find it hard to understand but if you know something is true, you are willing to die for it- not in hatred or prejudice but simply knowing God holds your life in his hand and even though those who hate you are probably going to take your life you are about to enter eternity in Heaven where you will get to see your Jesus face to face.  Where the streets have no names.  People find it hard to understand because they hold on to this life too much.  They put too much of an emphasis on this life then the life to come.

DO WE UNDERSTAND THIS?  Do we understand this completely and wholeheartedly?

Peter would get know God’s love in such a deep way and manner that despite painful and heart wrenching situations and circumstances of this life… these things would not measure up or budge him from his faith in Jesus Christ.  When oppressions and siftings of life were put on the scales next to God’s love, they would not be heavier then Peter’s reality of God’s love.  Peter would learn to abide in God’s love in such a deep way he probably couldn’t even imagine how deep it would be… and now God is asking us to experience that same type of love.

Christian… put your name in Simon Peter’s spot.  “_________________ , do you love me?”

Life happens and people are cheated out of their lives everyday but could you say… “Thank you God that I have gotten to know your love in such a deep way that I am not afraid of death?”    

Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy…. But he can’t separate you from God’s love.  It is us that allow our selves to believe in such lies.  

Do we love God in such a degree that our sorrows would be washed away in the tide of God’s love?  Could we overlook the difficulties in life and turn them to praises and thanksgiving because we have continually sought the comfort of God’s everlasting love?  And as we have sought the comfort of God we have seen God's blessings and provisions along the way.

 

From the evidence I have experienced, seen and read, it is only by abiding in God’s love does one overcome adversity, fear and even death.  Clothed…. Clothed in light and love…. only by accepting, submitting and abiding in his love…

Is Jesus challenging you to accept and submit to his love in a deeper way?  Is he challenging your heart…?  Is he calling you out?  And are you living a godly life regardless of the trials and challenges because you are abiding in his love?

 

It is not a strong testimony to continue in the faith in amongst trials and challenges? Is it not a strong testimony to continue in the faith when this world dismisses God but you don't?

Jesus is calling…… “Do you love me?”

However you want to say it... run... hide... abide in God's love.

 MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN THE REALITY OF HIS LOVE!!!!

The Hiding Place

Then Moses said, "If you don't go with us personally, don't let us move a step from this place." Exodus 33:15

We live in a very uncertain world so where does the Christian soul find peace to live a Godly life?

The Place of Refuge For the Soul

Does your soul have a hiding place to endure the uncertainty of life? This hiding place is not a place we can find on our own or by our own efforts.

This hiding place is not some physical location but a place in which the soul can take refuge “anytime” -not just in times of difficulty and/or trouble.

Our emotions are tied to our thoughts. Our thoughts can be like winds that power the waves of powerful seas and leaving a trail of destruction within them. Our thoughts must not be cast upon things that are uncertain but on God who is constant and certain.

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

Psalm 91:1-2 “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. “

Psalm 91:4 “He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”

Psalm 91:9 “If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling.”

Psalm 91:14 “The LORD says, “ I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them.”

I don’t pretend to understand the ways of the LORD, I just know He works in mysterious and powerful ways that the human understanding cannot understand.

Ask yourself this question: “Have I allowed God open excess into my life (Your heart and mind and soul) to prepare my soul for what is ahead in “this” life?” Are my thoughts secured upon God and His Love?

Your Real Life

Colossians 3:2-3 “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Take some time to think upon this:

Your real life is “in” Christ Jesus- not “this” life you are currently experiencing.

Example: Though your body maybe suffering from cancer -this is not your soul’s life- this is not your real life. Your real life is hidden in Christ Jesus.

Just as a “handicapped” Christian maybe trapped in a body in which they have little control of – there “real” life is not their body but IN God who nourishes the soul.

Home is Where the Heart Is

I was watching the movie “The Hiding Place” and the more I watched it, the more I started to think about “the hiding place” was not some tiny place to hide Jews from the Nazi’s but it was a spiritual place within a believer’s heart.

God is our hiding place. He is our place of refuge, protection, encouragement, and enlightenment, and SOURCE of faithful, unfailing, unconditional love.

We will experience physical fatigue, loss, pain, sickness, hunger, sexual desire and so on - through our bodies but our bodies are not our home they are only a place that our heaven bound souls temporary reside.

We are in Christ. God is our home. There is where home is. There is where the heart is.

Why This Life?

Why didn’t God just skip this human experience and have us living with Him now?

Well think of it this way. Before you marry someone you become acquainted with him or her. You date and become educated about this special person of the opposite sex before you are joined together in marriage.

God wants us all to become acquainted with Him. God gave us a choice to accept Him or not. This is the place He chose for us to become acquainted with Him.

"So we, like Abraham, begin the journey. There is a longing in our hearts that supersedes our obedience to His will. We yearn to find a place of intimacy with Him. We want to see Him face-to-face! We are not content to worship from afar. Instead, we are desperate for His presence. We are more interested in Him than in the destination to which He is leading us. In fact, we discover on our way that He is our destination! He is drawing us to Himself, and this is exactly what He intended from the beginning. It doesn't take us long to realize how inadequate our resources are for this spiritual journey. We are suddenly cast upon His mercy and faithfulness to guide us along the way. At times our spirits are willing, but our flesh is weak, and we are drawn away from Him. The cars of this life and the things of this world entice and seduce us, but He is persistent. He will not let us go. We wander into His presence for brief moments of divine inspiration, and then wander back out. We settle for occasional encounters with God instead of living in His presence. We are God chasers instead of God-pleasers." Dr. Dale A. Fife "The Secret Place" page 39-40

I believe God created this earthly experience so we could get know his handiwork “his invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature.” (Romans 1:20)

I believe God created this human experience so we would seek Him out knowing He put a measure of faith of Himself in us -knowing it would grow as we got to know Him more and more.

I believe God created the earth for a place for His children to learn about His love for us and be empowered by that love to do many wonderful things that we know we could not accomplish by ourselves.

I believe God created this human experience to see that nothing could satisfy the deep heart felt desires and needs but Him.

I believe God created this human experience to bring us up in the obedience of Him and to test our devotion to Him.

If God Loves Us Why Do Things Happen?

So why does God allow suffering, sickness and disease? Probably the same reason why there injustice in this world? We live in a fallen world. Why are some people healed and why are some not? We could go crazy asking these questions but no one really understands why things happen – only God.

I do know sometimes to get to the knowledge of God to go from the head to the heart – sometimes suffering is involved and those involved in such difficult lessons have a greater understanding of God’s love then those who do not go through such experiences.

My friend Janine experienced God’s presence everyday as she suffered and her body wasted away from the cancer. Through her suffering she experienced -a deeper and meaningful relationship with God came. The pain and loss of mobility she suffered was nothing compared to the priceless value and gain of God’s companionship. She was never alone. He was not separated from her even on her darkest days. He was available to her 24/7 because she trusted Him and wanted Him to be with her.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we know they are good for us- they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:3-5

“It is His very presence that distinguishes us and makes us Holy” – John Bevere.

God’s love "active" in our lives separates us from the worldly mindset. Remember your first encounter with God -that changed your life and God became real to you? You surrendered to God’s calling and He changed you but God was not done changing you. He wants us to take refuge in His love. There is where the Christian soul belongs is encouraged and empowered despite trials and challenges.

In the quiet still hiding place of God the soul has life, love, joy, and peace. God lives in us if we have given our life to Jesus Christ. He is our goodness. True intimate fellowship with His goodness brings out His goodness in us.

The Passing of a Dear Christian Friend

I received an ushering from the Holy Spirit to check up on a dear friend that I had not spoken to in person since college. Her name was Janine Killough. God would have me pray for her on different occasions but I didn't know why. When I looked her name up on the Internet I found to my regret that she had recently died from cancer just a few days before. I didn't even know she had cancer.

(If you lack faith in God I want you to ask yourself what are the chances of me finding out of my dear friend's death just days after she had passed away? They are humanly impossible but God knew of our friendship. God knew how her passing would affect me.)

Janine and I met in a sociology course which I was required to take for my minor in communications. When I came into class and saw her the first time, she was sitting in a desk right beside the wall by the door. I took a seat behind her. There was something different about Janine that drew me to her.

Later in the course we became study buddies and shared many laughs. I look back on this time as God ordained. I never had seen Janine before until that year and that quarter and then we started bumping into one another all over campus.

At the time I considered myself Christian because I went to church when I was younger and participated in Christian youth activities such as Young Life but my life style was anything but Christian. No I did not party or do drugs but my god was more of the "salad bar" variety if you get my drift. I chose what I wanted to believe and not wanted to believe about God.

Janine would invite me on occasion to one of the campus Christian group gathers but I always had an excuse for not attending. I would sometimes pass by the group as I went through the SUB, the student union building, in the evening and they would all be singing and praising God and there Janine would be too.

So what does a person get from a Christian's life after they have gone? What do I get from Janine's life and passing?

1. No matter our circumstances in life- no matter cancer, sickness, loss, sorrow, health, persecution, oppression, death, life - God really loves us and is there for us.

2. God uses things like cancer to not just touch others around us but us as well. Through life threatening circumstances we draw close to God. We see how fragile this life is and we need God for our strength. (That shouldn't just be when we have a life threatening circumstance but all the time.) Janine grew a strong intimate relationship with the LORD and because of that intimate relationship with the LORD she was a light and testimony of God's love.

3. Janine's strong conviction and faith in God/ Jesus Christ encouraged and made her a beacon of light. She said she would not take back this experience because it engulfed her in Christ's love. She realized the reality of God's love for her.

4. Janine was a vessel. She knew she was a vessel and she knew her life was in God's hands. We are like seeds that grow mature and die to glorify Jesus Christ. In her suffering and intimate relationship with the LORD she could not help but glorify the LORD. Her hope and passion for the LORD was not just a confidence and expectation but she knew personally how much God loved her. She knew God was faithful and unfailing even in death. She had peace when she passed into eternity. Janine was a vessel of God's love. She was not perfect but she was just the perfect vessel to be a light to many people's life - including mine.

5. This life is short compared to eternity. If we have to suffer for a while so be it-as long as God is with me. Even when there is disharmony in our body there isn't with our soul for we are connected spiritually with God not our bodies or circumstances.

6. Tell the truth no matter the circumstances but speak it in love. We are but dew on the morning grass. This is not our home. We know where we are going but do others know where they are going if they don't know Jesus Christ?

7. We are sometimes blind to God's love until God shows us all the many blessings bestowed upon us through different circumstances.

8. This life is temporary so let us not live it as if we have tomorrow because none of us has that guarantee or assurance. Let us live in true genuine love, hope and faith of Jesus Christ. Let's see how faithful and unfailing he is in all circumstances.

I thank God for Janine and I know those who know and love her and have a trust and confidence in Jesus Christ will see and be reunited with her again. I am personally excited that I will be able to see her again.

When a Christian dies we have a tendency to feel sorry for ourselves because we won't see that person for a time but in all reality that is selfish. Who was should really feel bad and great sorrow for- are those who didn't give their lives to Jesus Christ. Would I had loved to see Janine again? Of course yes! - But that be only for selfish reasons. Janine is not suffering anymore. She is in the presence of the LORD that loves her. Janine is alive and well in Jesus Christ so let her life (a seed) go into our hearts and let her memory bear much fruit in us for Jesus Christ. Let us honor those Christians who have passed on before us not by feeling sorry but being thankful to have the opportunity to have them in our life- even if it was for a short while.

Janine's life has touched mine- and I know she has and will continue to touch many other people's life by the relationship she had with the LORD down here on earth. You cannot help but shine if you have an intimate relationship with the LORD and grow in that true genuine truth and reality that God is faithful and unfailing.

"You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope." Psalm 119:114

"He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:6

"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." Romans 8:38 "We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." 1 John 4:16 "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is." Ephesians 3:16-18

I hope that these words haven't just been some words on a page but that you might see and understand the important significance of Jesus Christ in our lives.

You can see her honest, true and beautiful testimony at this address: http://vimeo.com/28829301