Psalm 3:5-7 Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Psalm 50:15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
Matthew 14:28-31 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” He (Jesus) said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me.”
Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Mark 9:21-24 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
James 1:2-3 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Jude 22 And have mercy on those who doubt.
Do you ever wonder what people think about regarding death, especially their own, when they don’t know or even want to know about Jesus? I can not imagine what they think. My guess is they must be very fearful and anxious. Even if they have chosen not to believe in Jesus and the fact He came to forgive sins and save those who believe in Him, they may still try to hold those beliefs tightly. But are they comforted? In those last days, hours, do they wonder if they now beg for Him to forgive them, are they comforted? Are they reassured?
I know I am still a sinner, mess up daily, but I have the reassurance that I ask for forgiveness for ALL the sins I commit that day, and I am forgiven. My sincere regret and confession free me from the burden of sin and give me the comfort of knowing there is nothing blocking me from my Savior. The Holy Spirit is still alive and well within me, helping me with getting through life better than before I accepted Jesus as my Savior. The comfort I feel knowing I am going to spend eternity in heaven with Jesus is awesome.
I had a close cousin who had various cancers and she died a few years back. She was a strong believer, held Jesus closely. Knowing that, she was only fearful of having pain that might not be controlled, that her process might be scary and feel out of control like a wild ride at a park when you’re frightened and feeling out of control yet cannot get off until the ride is stopped. But her knowledge of being a child of God was a comfort. There were regrets—she was leaving behind a lot of family members she loved deeply, close friends, and that part of the journey is and was uncomfortable. But she still looked ahead to her permanent home with her Savior, her knowledge of that secure.
We miss family and friends who have passed on, and suffer the grief of the loss, missing them but for those who are Christian, and know the Lord, those of us left behind are comforted with the deep knowledge that we will see them again. There is a reunion to look forward to. That is not to say we want to leave our earthly life early, but when our time comes, we can look forward to meeting with loved ones who have passed before us. That is a reassurance, a comfort when our time to leave this world comes.
I cannot imagine how nonbelievers get through the process.
Faith and doubt go together. There are times when we are full of faith, confident that God is with us, and nothing can deplete our faith. Then, something happens, and we are tested. How do we respond? Do we continue to pray and be thankful? Do we pray and remain thankful, seeking His will? When our prayers are not answered do we maintain full faith, or do we have doubts? We all have doubts at times; it is part of being human and dealing with life’s issues. Am I doing what You want God? Am I understanding Your direction? Am I being obedient? How could You let this happen, God?
We are tested to build our faith and make it stronger. If our prayers take a long time to be answered, we can start to doubt. Does God hear my cries? Am I praying for something against His will? Does He not want to fix this situation? Are you trying to teach me something? I am in such torment, do You care? Will You answer? Where are You? If we stay true in believing He hears us and will answer—maybe not according to what we want, but He will answer. All illnesses are not healed, jobs may be lost, and financial hardships may come, and it seems as though you are not getting answers. But we are often tested to build our endurance, and to make us stronger when troubles come. We are tested to see what our response will be. Will we stay steady and true, continuing in prayer and thankfulness, believing He has our best interests in His heart.
Faith grows when it is used. It is like a muscle and if used regularly, it grows, becomes tougher and stronger, able to deal with heavier issues. I accepted Christ after hearing the Judges 6 story of God calling Gideon to go to war and God would help him win. Gideon had little faith at the time, and presented God with many excuses why he was the wrong person to be given this assignment. After he was mostly convinced to obey, he still doubted, and asked God for final proof and reassurance—he wanted to put a fleece out and have God make just the fleece wet and surrounding ground dry’ and vice versa for the next night. And God answered Gideon’s request for both nights. Gideon’s small faith was increased with the result of God’s answering, which reassured Gideon that God was truly with him when he went into battle.
Certainly, there were other doubters in the bible. Many of those in the Doubter’s Club included Adam, Eve, Abram and Sara, Moses, and when John the Baptist’s prison time became longer and longer, he too doubted. And all can give examples of Peter’s doubts. They, too were people living in their time, dealing with their issues and fears and struggles, and at times doubted. We also have a sense of time and urgency. God works only on “His time” and we certainly do not like waiting.
Doubting can happen when we go through periods of not hearing from God, when unconfessed sin separates us from God, when we are walking on the right path and God is not ready to give us new direction. We are an impatient and arrogant bunch who tend to take things into our own hands if we do not get a message that gives clear direction from God. If we have messed up, we often still try to blame God—“where were You? You did not answer me. I waited, asked, sought You, and had to make a choice….”
Periods of doubt are stressful, but His love and faithfulness is deep and wide, long and high. We need to remember that. We are working and living on His time, and need to hold that when our faith feels wobbly.
God, You know I have had my doubts, my faith has been shaken and I have been totally feeling alone and overwhelmed. But those were MY feelings, NOT YOUR truth. Thank You for reminding me of your steadfastness which strengthens my faith and knocks many doubts away. My faith is sturdy remembering all the times You have blessed me and’mybellaviews.’
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 14:23 And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.
Psalm 34:7,9,11 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. . . Oh fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. . . Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psalm 147:11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 2:3-5 if, you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life.
Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
I sometimes wish there was another word used to describe being humbled, honoring, and being in awe of God than “fear.” Fear has negative connotations for me.
When I was a child if I messed up, I feared the repercussions, maybe even feared being found out to begin with. I might have mentally pleaded (prayed) that the misdeed would not be found out or at least not reported to my parents. Although I never went to parochial school, we did have nuns who ran our catechism classes, and several (not all) could be unkind, controlling, and intimidating. One priest was lovely and kind and would play a few minutes of kickball with us, but the other spent time doing little except practicing his glare, I think. So, going to that church did make me fearful. We knew we had to respect and adhere to what we were told by these “holy” people; but it did not instill an idea of love, kindness, and protection, which is what my parents would tell us each night as we knelt and said our nightly prayers. God was watching over us and was always there to protect us and love us.
There was a fresco on the ceiling of clouds with Jesus looking down on us and smiling, holding out His hand. I somehow found comfort with that, although many of the human representatives of “Him” brought no sense of relief.
So, I have negative meanings for the word fear, and I can now understand it is not just a terror, a fright, but a respect, an AWE—look at all He created! The world and all in it—each fish and crustacean in the ocean, each dolphin and whale, each mountain, each valley, each star, the sky and all it beholds, and each one of US—each individual. There are no two exactly alike, even identical twins have differences. We are each unique and He keeps track of us. So that is awe, admiration, humbling, glory, reverence, wonder, and worship. I understand how the word ‘fear’ can mean all of that, now as an adult, but I like the words I chose better.
The other reason I don’t like ‘fearing God’ is that when we worry, we are fearful about what may be happening or what we think or anticipate will happen. And then fear mean mistrust, doubting what God has promised when He says He wants good for us, not bad, He will be there, we are not to be doubtful and mistrustful of what He has promised. I understand it is our belief that we are in charge throughout so much of our life that causes the fear to come when we realize we are no longer in charge. We are never really in charge; life can change in a moment, for good or bad. But if we worry and fret about something that is saying loudly that one does not trust God to bring out a good outcome.
I am more than a little amazed at how little I worry nowadays. I used to hold the championship ring, I think for worrying, fretting, and turning issues over and over in my mind. I no longer do.
God has proved Himself to me time and time again. My life goes so much more smoothly—I sleep well, I do the things I commit to, and take care of life and am confident He is with me and will guide me through any issues that come up that are not routine. I no longer borrow things to worry about that ‘maybe’ a problem.
It was normal for me to fret and worry and be all in knots about many things. Looking back, I feel badly for my family—I must have seemed like a maniac at times. It’s a wonder they are all confident, well rounded, and grounded, hard-working people who are happy and in stable relationships.
I no longer live fearfully. He walks with me and guides me each day. I am so very thankful He does as it is a relief to no longer borrow things to worry about, as Matthew 6:25-27 says there is no need to worry and certainly not to borrow things to worry about which may NEVER happen.
Thank You for stepping in and showing me You are always with me, You will always guide my steps, and You have only good things planned for my life, and there is no need to worry. I am so very thankful for all You have done, my Lord, for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the Lord: to my God I cried for help. From his temple, he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Matthew 6: 24 therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Luke 24:38-39 And He said to them, ”Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
Romans 8:28 And we know for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called to His purpose.
2 Corinthians 1:3,4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Tribulation a cause, state, or time of great trouble or suffering; severe trial of misery, deep sorrow.
Without stressing my mind too far, I can think of many times of tribulation for people over the years. There are wars, and those atrocities man against man, man against woman, punishing for stealing in some countries is to cut off the offending hand; a very ill child born and the agony of the coming loss, yet ‘please do every treatment in case. . .’ losing everything in a fire, earthquake, avalanche or whatever natural disaster—not just material possessions, but a family member, someone racked with cancer, trying to bravely fight and go through treatments, yet be losing the battle and the family grasps for just a few more moments.
Tribulations are trials we all go through at times. Those are the tough times that are a part of life. Each person goes through them in their lifetime, and each person’s story is different. Life delivers bad blows at times.
God is taking us (humans) through different trials sometimes to refine us and make us a better, stronger Christian; sometimes to bring one to their knees so they reach out to Him, humbled and broken without Him. We all have periods of struggle and testing. Often our hearts grieve for what someone else is going through, and we can offer encouragement, prayers, but the person/family must walk the path.
Some know they can turn to their Savior and find comfort. It may not allay the anger, the hurt with the cause of the trouble, but there is a comfort and strength for those who know Jesus and God and have a relationship. The trouble is still there, but those who know God know there is strength, direction, and God will help with the details and outcome; for He can make all good.
God cherishes us. Trouble, pain, and suffering are at times a part of life, but it is less frightening for those who know Jesus. You know the outcome. Physical death may not be an outcome we want; but if the person dying knows Jesus, there is a tremendous peace that you will see that person again when you pass from this world to the eternity of heaven.
There is reassurance even when we walk through tough, difficult unexpected times if we walk with Jesus daily. He does give rest, peace, and strength. The Bible never says a word regarding not having to deal with pain and loss and issues in life just because you walk with Jesus. Just the opposite is written. In fact, He promises there will be times of strife, difficulty, and turmoil. Christians will certainly be tempted, troubled, and must deal with the dirty plucking of Satan as he tries to uproot our beliefs and strength. Satan loves to poke at us during times of desolation to say ‘See, God doesn’t care. Look how you’re suffering. If He loved you. . .’ But remember each and EVERYDAY Satan lies, moment to moment, anything to pull you away and make you doubt your Savior.
If we have walked long enough or have the confidence in Jesus, we know leaning on Him during our troubles and tribulations will enable us to deal with all developments easier. The issues are not easier—they still hurt, anger, but we have confidence and knowledge He is walking with us, we are not alone, and most importance, “all things turn out for our good.” (Romans 8:28)
I know no better way to help with troubles, worries other than prayer. If I am a long distance away, that is all I can offer, other than encouraging texts. If I can get to the person, I offer more practical help—assistance with childcare, bringing food, driving others to where they have to be, help with housework or anything practical that is neglected in an emergency, hugs, offering to listen and holding one, praying and asking if the person would also like to pray, and reassure with His promises, such as Romans 8:28. There are so many ways we can help, but prayer is a KEY help even if the other person is unaware of our prayers.
I think, especially if a new Christian, one is shocked when truly bad things slam them back. But bad things—life—happens to each of us. But having Jesus walk with us, helps us get through with more confidence. We will have questions, doubts, and get concerned if He seems silent for a time, but knowing He will never leave nor forsake us, is a promise that helps and reassures. God designed us to have other humans who will support and help us get through those hard times. To have other Christians come along beside you is in itself a special strength. Those who aren’t Christian still offer a comfort, but there is a reassurance one gets from a praying believer who utters prayers on your and the issue’s account.
So troubles, tribulations will come to all. But take heart, He has overcome the world. Thank You for teaching me, I am not alone. You are always with me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Deuteronomy 4:29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your soul.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Psalm 40:16 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 119:10 -11 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart.
Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.
Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10 And I tell you, ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Early in my Christian walk, I did not know much about what I was doing and did not have a mentor to explain and advise. I knew I believed in God, and I wanted to be a better person than I was but for awhile I floundered unsure of the steps. I had not attended a bible teaching church. There was usually a paragraph or two of verses read, but not followed by any explanation, not did it have anything to do with whatever the message was about; most frequently I remember messages about giving more to this or that.
My first bible that I attempted to read was a KJV and I was confused and frustrated with an English I was unfamiliar with and sounded stunted and formal, and therefore to me the message was not clear. Believing there was more, I sought other churches, looking for one that would teach me what the bible was saying. I read John 1:1-6. Then my brain was so confused. ‘Created by the Word, who was with God, and is God’ I was confused! It is all so clear now, but in my beginning, it was not clear to me.
I began following several different TV preachers—Charles Stanley, David Jeremiah, Joyce Meyer and some of my confusion lessened as they taught. Then I got 2 bibles that were easier to understand, and could listen to their teaching, and compare versions—and things became clearer—and exciting.
Anyway, growth and growing closer to Him is part of what the bible wants for us. It is God’s living Word, and we can see different meanings and words of importance in our lives at different times. It is a guidebook, a book of Laws, to some degree, but the real message is LOVE. Love and honor God, be loving and kind to others, help in any circumstances you can or are able. You may not know how to take care of an injured person, but you can grab a blanket to keep them warm and stay with them, until someone arrives who does.
When I first read the verses in Matthew 7:7-8 I assumed it meant I can ask for anything, believing, and I will get it. Wow, I can wish for enough money to buy this sweater, or this and that; I will have success in this endeavor, and on and on with wishes of the moment. Of course, those did not come to pass. IN the first point, they were not all good for me; second, God is NOT Santa Claus and should never be treated as such; and third, God gives me what I need—and sometimes, He does not give that, but each week gives me the health, knowledge, and ability to do my job and earn funds to support my family. So He has given me exactly what I need. And that is what His word says. It was MY selfishness which chose to believe it would be whatever I want.
When I forward that Sunday, I am not sure I thought of confessing my sins or was repentant. I just recognized there was joy, a happiness if I went forward. And I had the joy, the feeling of being included and welcomed. Shortly, thereafter my life changed, I moved and had to search for a bible teaching church. Because of my job, I worked every other weekend, so there were limited Sundays to find the right fit for a church. All I knew was I wanted the message to be a teaching one—help understand the bible. Unfortunately, there was no teaching in the church I grew up in and much of what many children had gotten as a foundation in other churches, I had missed.
It has taken years to get a good handle and since it is the Living Word of God, there are constantly new messages for me—but now they are truths—not just a clump of words strung together.
But truly, what ASK was referring to was seeking God, asking Him to come into your life, and answering His knock when He gave the invitation. He wants us, our committed love to Him, seeking Him daily, learning His path for your life when you are weighing options. He wants a RELATIONSHIP with each one of us. So, I was not supposed to ask for things I desired from my selfish heart, but to ask Him into my life so He could guide me, and help me learn to be a joy-filled person who could help others in whatever manner.
It might be to help with a nursing/health issue, it might be to supply a meal or two, to give a ride to someone in need, donate time, objects, and skills. I have to realize what He might be ASK-ing me to do for His kingdom, and supply that need when ASK-ed. How my life has flourished following His guidance when He asks.
Lord, thank You for coming into my life even if I went forward with probably a non-repentant heart, but learned how freeing and joy-filled I become when I confess my sins and answer yes when You ASK for me to do something for another in Your kingdom. Thank You for changing my outlooks and selfish views and for guiding me and ‘mybellaviews.’
1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man looks on outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Psalm 4:5 Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 139:23,24 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life.
Jeremiah 17:10 “I, the Lord, search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Luke 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 16:15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God
1 Timothy 1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
God wants us to love Him. Well, that sounds like a given, right? Sure, and that should be easy. Ok, love, God, and all will go well for the rest of your life. You love Him like you love your cat, the study of different birds, and/or animals (like bats—ugh) that eat and decrease the bug population, or the way you love stamps, or love to read romance novels, or walking in the rain, or seeing a fierce lightening storm over the ocean. We love—actually “love” many things.
But not with the heart. We prefer to read a good novel, maybe during a fierce and magnificent lightning storm—but that’s NOT our heart. And God wants that—that piece of you that makes Him First, Most Important, the One who created you, now makes you alive, safe, secure, and Who has forgiven you, has taken you and enveloped you and will never, NEVER let you go. Our God knows True love. His is not a love that diminishes after the honeymoon period, when things are not rosy—there are bills piling up, you are no longer able to spontaneously go for dinner and drinks, no longer able to take a weekend to Mexico or Bermuda, or…….
We don’t love like God does. We are too selfish and self-centered. If something hurts us, we pull back and start looking for ways the other might be hurting us, using us. We pull back, there are walls erected—usually on both sides, although generally, without an outside source we only see and feel our own hurts and grudges. But the walls, the barriers are usually on both sides. It may start off as confusion—“What did I do to get him/her angry?” Then worrying, fussing without good communication and the foundation of the wall is laid, but without communicating FROM the HEART, it is going to further interrupt communication. This is not Unconditional love. We have a hard time with unconditional love.
We also tend to be judgmental. Hard to be caring and loving when you are judging someone and finding them on the difficult side, the lower side, or doing something you think is sinful or damaging, or just makes you uncomfortable—drug use, promiscuity, there are SO many things we all judge. One of favorite reminders in the Bible is that I will be judged the same way I judge others. OH my goodness, I truly repent, because I am harsh. Help me Lord, Holy Spirit, correct me immediately when I judge others.
We are our number ONES. And that does not serve giving unconditional love to others. We prefer giving unconditional love to ourselves. We are most important, we are number ONE—at least in our own minds and hearts. Generally, we believe we are good, loving, generous, and worthy….but would anyone else who knew us think we are that good? Does God, who had the only sinless Man as His Son be our atoning sacrifice for ALL of our sins—past sins, present and future. If we look closely, will we see any faults and sinfulness within? Are we truly giving our entire heart to Him, changing our behaviors and confessing sins and asking for the Holy Spirit to show us each and every time we fall short of what God wants us to be doing? Are we loving like Jesus?
When we finally hit our reason for reaching out for God because we cannot go on, we cannot see a way to do anything else, we cry out—with any belief that He will answer?—usually doubtful, but our LAST RESORT, OUR LAST DESPERATE CRY FOR HELP. Will He really help? Is He really there? Will this really change my circumstances? My cry of GOD HELP. . . PLEASE!!! That close to the end, do we believe He will help? No, it’s a matter of a helpless moan, will this plea—not even a prayer—really help me?
We love and want to give while it is to our benefit. But when things get difficult, we nibble at the problem and then. . . Pull back. ‘How will it affect me? How is this going to ever be okay for me? I have given more love to. . . than I have been given. I am not loved as much as I have given, right God? I gave my all, and this is all I get? It’s not enough, God. I want and expect more.’
That is not the way God loves, and He wants us to love one another unconditionally—just the way He loves us. Oh My! He sees our sins, repeatedly, and more than one, and more than when we find Him and claim Him and still we sin—and He forgives us, He loves us! HE LOVES US ALWAYS.
We don’t love always. We see hurt, we see things that can hurt us, and we put up walls. That is not God’s way. And the fact He has done this since He created Man and Woman helped Man commit the first sin. He wants to LOVE ON US—He wants us to LOVE HIM UNCONDITIONALLY. Yikes, He wants us to love the way HE loves us. How deep, how wide, how strong, how circular and loving can that be? WoW! The greatest love of ALL. And He GIVES it to us. No monetary cost, no danger, only pure, GRACE and unconditional LOVE, giving, generous beyond measure, forgiveness, and LOVE. The kind you cannot deny. It’s deep—you mess up, and still His forgiveness reassures you you are HIS. His grace and love want you!!
He wants you to love the way He loves. Can you do it? Can you be that unselfish? Can you be not self-centered? After years of loving Jesus and God, I find I am still FAR, FAR so distant from the Jesus I follow and want to emulate
How about you? Are you struggling with your heart? I see some improvements, but I am not where I would like to be heart-wise.
Lord, I know it’s a struggle , but am I making my heart more like Yours? Thank You, Lord, for always being there for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Hi, I'm Kathy. Welcome to my website!