Love's Voice

What fun it is to see how well "love" hears. At 2 days old our new granddaughter would perk up and become "on alert" when she heard her mother across the room. Her still puffy face and eyes did not work as well as whose ears did. When the "desired" was heard, she became like a radar scanner focusing all her 7 lb. energy on that familiar comforting Mama voice. 

How our God wants us to hear Him! Jesus said, 'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:19-42)

The new baby knows and hears her Mama's voice because she has lived so very near it for 9 months. She has been fed, hugged, protected, and had all needs met in that safe environment. And Mama has learned to love, sacrifice for, and take care of her even before she sees her. It is a wonderful plan when accomplished in love. 

So even though we can't see God, we can be all ears for His prompting, word, Holy Spirit. We can reject the enemy's lies and competing banter. We can desire and delight in His voice - whatever way He chooses to speak.  "How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!" (Psalm 89:15)

Lord, I want pure delight in hearing You today. Please forgive me for allowing so much distraction - so much focus on the grumbling, fearful, proud noise. May I catch throughout this day your sweet call of love.

The Door to Life

In all this world of shifting sand, toppling standards, hollow-voiced leaders, there is a secure place. Jesus makes it plain: "I am the door , if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and find pasture." ( John 10:1-18)

In this safe place place we can rest, enjoy freedom from fear, and have all the provision we need. Sounds mighty good. David experienced this place in Psalm 34:4: "I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears."

Can you imagine what it would be like - total freedom from fear? Freedom from lie-enslavement to the enemy who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy."  As Psalm 34 declares, God goes about this emancipation as we continue to seek Him. 

Jesus already paid the price: "I am the good shepherd; The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." If we will only keep returning to God and not distractions, we will have the great reward: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Thank you, Jesus, for becoming the door to life!

True Worship

Who would have thought that this unnamed beggar would get the good news? (John 9:18-41) But Jesus made a point of seeking him out. It was after the poor guy had been kicked out of the Jewish church. But instead of having to figure out where to go, Jesus came to him.

And then this former dirty beggar got the chance of a lifetime. He probably thought he already had it made as Jesus had transformed him from a blind beggar into a courageous sight-filled witness.

But now is when Jesus popped the question: “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” After Jesus revealed that the recent healing and the current truth were both from Him - the Son of Man, the unnamed but unquestionably grateful man exclaimed, "Lord, I believe."

Then this pure, heartfelt statement of faith had its inevitable result: "And he worshiped Him." How wonderful! For a change God receives grateful childlike worship instead of the vain empty tradition of the religious leaders. 

Lord, may our experience and testimony result in this same beautiful, true worship.

"...and the time is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him." John 4:23

A Messy Healing

A mother tries to avoid these things - spit and dirt.  And the combination - mud - has to be the bane of country living. 

But Jesus. He can turn this kind of mess into health and new life. He sure did that with the blind man in John 9:1-17. He smeared the mud on the guy's eyes and after a clean up, a new world of sight was his. 

The disciples just thought of this man (or his parents) as sinners,  justly deserving a curse like blindness. But Jesus is motivated by compassion and is thinking of the opportunity: "so that the works of God might be displayed in him".  Also emphasizing the truth that He is the light of the world, Jesus proceeded to creatively give light to the blind man. And this blind man who used to beg had a new life.

Lord, thank you that you use a mess to make new life. Do it in us!

The Touch

Jesus is on a mission. He says,"for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me." (John 8:39-59)  Sadly, His people do not understand. They can not really hear Him through their preconceived idea of a Messiah. But He is still the One sent to them.

We are sent people. Matthew records the Great Commission as Jesus' last words: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..."   So we are to go in His authority and in His power. (Acts 1:8)

It's likely some will not understand the love and good news we have to share. But to those God is calling and who are ready to hear, we have the opportunity to give life!

What a thrilling prospect. Oh Lord, today put someone in my path that is reaching out - for You. Help me take that next step and be Your touch. 

Free Indeed!

Only Jesus can free. We've tried so many other plans. Good programs. Well thought out opportunities - as if money and better looks and wiser actions can make all the difference.

In John 8:26-38 Jesus says to His followers, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” In other words, “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” (The Message) 

What a glorious thought to be free from the lies of the enemy. Free from old self- destructive habits. Free from negative, bitter, "poor me" thinking. Free to really live the moments of life today that He has given us.

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." Lord, help us to open up to Your truth and freedom.

No Condemnation

Can we believe Jesus? It's what he said to the woman caught "in the very act" of adultery: "And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either.” (John 8:1-20) 

The Pharisees thought they had pulled together their big triumph over Jesus. (Who cares about that woman.) But their self righteous hypocrisy became their undoing: "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her". 

And Jesus cared about the woman. She had called Him Lord. So He said, "Go. From now on sin no more." In other words, "You are free".

And Jesus cares about us. Oh, to learn the truth that condemnation (especially in our own heads) is from the enemy! "Therefore no condemnation now exists for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)  So self condemnation (You messed up again. You are one big failure.) is a lie from the Father of Lies. The enemy condemns, the Spirit convicts to lead to change - big difference. 

When we give ourselves to Jesus as Lord, we are adopted into His family -  His sisters and brothers. That makes us free in Him. Let's live today in that reality. No condemnation!