Searching for Extravagant Love? Look to God

Searching for extravagant love? 

Many of you know my story. As a little girl, my father was absent from my life for a few years. And his absence caused me to wonder, Am I lovable? 

To further confuse my young heart, my dad came back into my life as a self-proclaimed atheist.

Then I questioned, Is there a God? And, does God love me?

At 16, I heard the gospel. Jesus Christ, sent by His Father, died on a cross for me and loved me completely. The love I craved. I became a daughter of the Most High God.

 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” 1 John 3:1a (ESV) 

You see, I was looking for extravagant love, I just didn’t know it. So let’s discuss how God loves us extravagantly. 

Extravagant Love in God

(1.) God IS love. 

Love is not only something God does, but also who He is. God loved us so much, He gave His only Son to give us eternal life.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) 

May we never get over how much God loved the world—you and me—and the great sacrifice He made to show His love.

(2.) Extravagant love gives all. 

Searching for extravagant love? It’s found at Calvary’s cross, purchased for us by the blood of Jesus.

10 Amazing Benefits When We’re on Team Jesus

We live in a time of ample opportunity for choosing a team to represent. Sports and reality shows afford us a team choice. And with the Super Bowl coming up, fans are choosing sides.

But life also boils down to choosing sides on spiritual matters.

As believers, we can stay loyal to Jesus or other gods—things the world offers us.

Amazing Benefits

(1.) Jesus wrote the playbook. In Christ dwells truth and knowledge of all things.

Culture attempts to set the boundary lines for marriage, sex, godliness, and who we worship. It’s time to draw a line in the sand, admit we’re on team Jesus, and make no apologies.

This makes Jesus best suited to call all the plays in our life. “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28 a (ESV)

(2.) Jesus embodies perfection. Whether in sports, music, talents, or career, the old adage says, “Practice makes perfect.” But practice never made anyone perfect, only better. The bottom line?

Nobody bats a thousand except Jesus. His ways and Word are perfect (see Psalm 18:30).

(3.) Jesus never sits on the sidelines. He is never absent from our lives. Even if we don’t see the hand of Christ in our circumstances, we trust His plan.

Jesus is the Goal

(4.) Jesus defends His team. He guards us against our main opponent, Satan—not a worthy opponent. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!

How God Provides the Best Refuge for Our Soul

She flew away as her wings took flight when I opened our front door. Inside the edge of my wreath, I found the beginnings of her nest. I realized our constant door activity was a risk to any eggs she’d lay and their refuge.

So I acted quickly in taking my wreath down to force this mama bird to build her home elsewhere. 

A few days later, high on the River Birch branch inside our courtyard, I spotted a newly built nest.

I imagined her nesting, then caring for her babies through feeding and protecting them as a refuge from storms and predators. 

Life has a way of weighing heavy on our soul. But God provides a secure refuge with the rest and renewal we need most.

Look at Jesus’s words in Matthew 23.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Verses 37, ESV)

Our redeemer wants to gather us under His wings—if we are willing. Then these blessings follow.

Refuge Under God’s Wings

Like the hen gathers her brood to protect them from harm, the Lord’s wings provide protection and security during stormy seasons and the enemy’s harmful intent.

Psalm 91 describes our refuge. 

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Verses 1-2, ESV) 

An Authentic Gospel in an Artificial World

What’s the difference between authentic and artificial? Is it the same as religion versus Christianity? And how do we share an authentic gospel in an artificial world? 

The Lord has spoken to my heart many times about being authentic. Like this:

The young woman moved her chair closer to the table as her eyes widened. The crowded coffee shop had not deterred her from being open and honest. 

Now, it was my turn to share about life struggles and faith. She tried to conceal her surprised expression, “I thought you wouldn’t understand, Karen.” The Lord used our stories to spur one another on in the faith. Not only through me too, but also in this is how Jesus helped me overcome.

Authentic versus Artificial 

An authentic voice helps others and holds the power to heal us.

When we authentically share our story, our dreams, our soul-wounds, our heart-cries, and even our faith-struggles, something powerful happens.

You see, I not only want to have an authentic voice when I write, blog, and speak; but also possess authenticity in simply doing life. So, this would include my relationships, spiritual walk, how I interact on social media, and every detail about life itself. 

In short, I desire to be an authentic person.

3 Major Ways to Know God is on the Move

Do you believe God is on the move?

Often, we find it difficult to believe something is happening, especially when we don’t see it.

Yet, believing without seeing is the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (ESV)

Years ago, I told the Lord I do not like it when I can’t see what He’s doing or how He’s moving.

But that wouldn’t be faith.

Instead, we rest assured that God is working and moving in the heavenly realm and in the world and our lives—no matter what we see or can’t see.

Let’s look at 3 major ways we know God’s on the move.

(1.) God is on the Move Through Prayer

Many times we underestimate the power of prayer to change situations and people…to change us. 

Because we move the spiritual world when we praise the Lord, recognize who God is, petition the Almighty, intercede for others, and speak God’s Word in prayer.

4 Familiar Scriptures and Truths We Often Miss

Familiar scriptures make the most quoted and popular list in many Christian circles.

But sometimes we miss important truths or gloss over the context of the passage. Or, we memorize a verse without considering the Bible verses before and after.

So let’s look at 4 Bible verses and discuss their neighboring scriptures.

Familiar Scriptures Often Quoted

(1.) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

To know God has plans for our welfare, future, and hope, taps into our longing to be affirmed and loved and cared for.

But Jeremiah pens a letter to God’s people in exile.

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my promise and bring you back to this place.” Jeremiah 29:10 (ESV)

The Lord planned to restore the exiles and bring them back to Jerusalem. And God has restoration plans for us. Because the Lord always keeps His promises.

I love how 1 Peter 5:10 expresses restoration after suffering, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (ESV)

Now, look at the verses that follow Jeremiah 29:11. “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 (ESV)

So when we call upon the Lord and seek Him with all our heart, we find welfare and hope for wholeness. (2002 edition of my ESV Bible uses “wholeness” in place of “welfare.”)

Truths We Miss

(2.) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (ESV)

My Grown-Up New Year List

Have you ever made a grown-up Christmas list? One of those wish-lists since you started adulting of what you really need in life—what matters most.

A few weeks ago we discussed Christmas gifts we need most.

What if we made a grown-up list for the new year? A list where we reflect and make an intentional plan of action with the Lord.

Although I’ve never really been a resolutions kind of girl, it’s a good time for reflecting on the previous twelve months.

Because when we evaluate the last year, what happened, how we responded, and the lessons (takeaways) we learned from our circumstances, it’s helpful for our future. 

Obviously, there are things we cannot control in the world or our world. But we control our mindset, heart focus, life vision/mission, and spiritual journey.

And if we’d rather our start-overs, second chances, and U-turns for a new year not ride in on the coattails of our previous year, then we reflect and put measures in place.

So I decided to make a grown-up new year list, along with the Lord, of three main areas.

(1.) Mindset: What if our best grown-up mindset is to desire the mind of Christ? 

But how do we go about seeking the mind of Christ? The Bible tells us: set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2); do not transform to the world, but transform by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2); and to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

More biblical wisdom gives us further insight:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

What we think about, set our minds on, is of utmost importance. If affects every aspect of our life. Do we desire to have the mind of Christ?

The Real Christmas Message in the Story of Rudolph

At the heart of the real Christmas message, we find the longing to be loved and chosen, spiritual misfits who need a rescuer.

I love stories—heart-felt stories, Christmas stories, both make-believe and real. Storylines stirring our long-awaited dreams.

Surprisingly, the real Christmas message is seen in a childhood favorite.

I’m a fan of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Because in the core message we find rescued misfits.

The book and movie’s storyline melts the heart of every boy and girl. And adults escape the real world of heartache for moments of happy endings and “Hoorays!”

Misfits Wanted, Therefore Chosen: Real Christmas Message

You see, Rudolph’s the poster-child for reindeer misfits.

The other reindeer called him names. Being different seemed alright until words spoken out loud preached “different” is not acceptable.

I understand misfits and their dilemma. Perhaps you relate to a misfit story.

In the same manner as placing Christmas presents on a wish-list, we often hope for heart-wishes to come true. Rudolph wished for acceptance, for someone to want and choose him.

A Child is Born: His First Breath of Grace

He took His first breath. The first breath of grace.

Wrapped in a swaddling cloth, though adorned with royal titles.

Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Holy King. Immanuel: God with us. The Ancient of Days.

The Lamb of God created the star placed in the heavens to announce His arrival. The light of the world.

I held Him in my arms, so overjoyed.

Barely minutes old and seemingly fragile. But this baby embodied the fullness of the Godhead. Such power demonstrated when He cast out evil spirits and even raised the dead to life again.

I studied every feature as mothers do when handed a newborn. Gazing intently at Him, I saw the goodness and greatness of God.

First Breath of Grace

Looking into His eyes, they would see into the hearts of men. I watched His mouth when He yawned or cried. Wonderful, powerful, and life-giving words He later spoke. He commanded even the winds and waves to obey Him.

Placing my hand on His chest to sense a strong heartbeat. The day was coming when His heart—broken and betrayed by many—offered forgiveness to all.

7 Christmas Gifts We Need Most

What gifts do you need most this Christmas? 

Maybe we really need some items, but want other things. 

When we think of Christmastime, our thoughts ponder what to buy the family member who has everything. Or, the person who is particular in their taste. 

Perhaps we wonder what treasures lay under the tree for us.

So imagine someone asks you to make a list of the top presents money cannot buy, but you enjoy receiving and need most.

Because these gifts are intangible, yet they gift us with the most important and glorious things in life. 

Let’s look at 7 priceless gifts we need most. 

(1.)  Peace: Gifts We Need Most

Peace isn’t a commodity we purchase, but Jesus purchased peace for us on the cross.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV)

(2.)  Love

We come into this world needing love. And the Lord is not only the author of true love, He’s the lover of our soul.