1 John 3:1-3

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:1-3


Children of God. Yes, we are children of God. What an awesome thought... that even I would be considered a child of God. None of us are perfect. We each have our flaws as humans. But yet, God still considers us His children. A bit mind-boggling, isn't it?

I think back to the last verse in chapter 2 of 1 John. It speaks of being "born of Him". To be born of Him is to live our lives showing similarities to God. Showing God's love to others, spending time in God's Word, spending time in prayer, developing our relationship with God. For the world to see that we are "born of Him" we must outwardly show traits that would have them think of God. Traits that would have them see God through us.

If we see ourselves as God sees us, as His children, shouldn't we also desire to show these traits to the world? To show them that we are God's children? That we are "born of Him"? Isn't it only natural that we want the world to know and to see God as we do so that they could share in this same love and same kinship with God?

Developing these traits is, of course, a process. We must first develop a strong relationship with God. We must grow and develop over time in our relationship with God. We must grow to the point where it is natural to reach out to others regularly and to show His love to the world around us. We must grow to the point where we spend special one-on-one time with God daily. As our relationship with God grows stronger and closer we do begin to be more and more like Him.

"...because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." I'm sure there is not one of us that wants to appear before Him one day and be ashamed of any aspect of our lives. Knowing that we will one day see Him, this alone should be a motivating factor to become more and more like Him. To purify ourselves "just as He is pure".

Thankful Thursday - May 29, 2008

Today I am thankful for prayer. I am thankful that…


…. in all things I am able to turn to the Lord in prayer.

…. that at anytime of the day or night I am able to pray and know the Lord will be listening.

…. that whether I am in a quiet place or in my car, I can pray and be assured the Lord hears my prayer.

…. that in times of trouble I can pray and be assured the Lord will provide comfort.

…. that in joyful times I can pray and know the Lord hears my praises and words of thanksgiving.

…. that I can pray and know that my Heavenly Father hears me and wants to share that time with me.

… that I can pray to the Lord on behalf of my friends and loved ones and know that He hears that prayer and will be there for them as He is for me.

Word-Filled Wednesday - John 15:13

For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.

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1 John 2:25-29

"And this is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him." 1 John 2:25-29 NIV


This passage of scripture starts out with a most wonderful promise. The promise God has made to us of eternal life.

Usually when I think of eternal life I think about the life I will have in heaven once my earthly body dies. However, in reality, our eternal life begins from the moment we profess our faith. The moment we accept God into our lives. If this is the case, doesn't it make sense that we would want to begin living that eternal life that very same moment? That we would want immediately to begin living out our eternal life with God by diving into His Word? By building daily our relationship with God?

I know of many benefits that come with fully living day to day with God -- benefits that come with ABIDING in God. However, there are several to which John speaks specifically in these scriptures.

The first being that we will be taught the truth.

"And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie..."

If we abide in God and receive his anointing (anointing being the presence of God's spirit with us), we will see the truth. God's spirit will show us the truth. It guides us towards the truth.

Another reason to always abide in God? So that we will not be ashamed when He returns.

"..so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming..."

I don't want to shrink away from God or be embarassed when I stand face to face with Him one day. I want to be ready for his coming at ANY time. No matter the day or night. Unfortunately, I think I have too many days where I would shrink away in His presence. I do, however, seek for this to be different and pray that one day I will be at a point in my relationship with God that I would be fully ready for His coming. That I would have confidence when I am face to face with Him.

In the last verse of this passage John speaks of being born of God. While studying these passages in the online commentary that I use, I found an analogy of this that really gave me a great picture of what it means to be born in Christ.

As children of our earthly parents we each have physical features that tie us to them or other family members. In my children they each have blue eyes like I do, my son has thick dark hair that is just like mine, my daughter's hair is just like her daddy's, both of them have a little dimple on their chin that is exactly like their daddy's, and, just like both my husband and myself, neither of them will ever be very tall.

It is the same when we are abiding in God. When we have a strong relationship with God our lives will show similarities to God. We will love others unconditionally, we will have a heart for giving, we will seek out ways to further the kingdom of God, and so on. Others will be able to see God in our lives.

That is what I seek. I seek to abide so closely with God that others would very clearly see Him in my life each and everyday. It's a daily thing... I must work on it and spend time with God each and everyday.

Truthfully, do I succeed at this everyday? Not at this point in my life. However, I spend more time with God and in His Word that I did even 6 months ago. I think that as long as I strive for that "everyday with God" time and it is a true and heartfelt desire, then one day I will obtain it. God will honor the fact that I am seeking to grow our relationship and He will help that desire to build in me more and more.

As Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." God will take these things on which we honestly and purely seek and He will honor them. He will help us to obtain these desires of our heart.

Thankful Thursday - May 22, 2008

This week I have struggled with my post for Thankful Thursday. Each week I try to be thoughtful and prayerful about my post of thanksgivings. I try to look for those things that might not be the most easily recognized or the ones that I can't always easily rattle off at the drop of a hat. I try to listen for the specific blessing that God has placed on my heart to share for that particular week.

Today as I mentally reviewed the past few days, God placed on my heart the blessing He has given me in my work. Now, for those of you that have read any of my posts over the past month or so, you know that work has been difficult as of late and there have been many struggles there for me over the past couple of years. So, when I first felt led to post on all I have to be thankful for at work, I said, "No... not that." and attempted to go on about my merry little way. Except, my way wasn't very merry (it rarely is when we say 'No' to God, is it?). A very short time later it came up in my thoughts again... post about all there is to be thankful for at work. I sighed and said "OK". However, as I began thinking of all my blessings at work, my focus shifted more towards the difficulties and, once again, I didn't want this to be my post.

However, you know God... He just kept letting me know I needed to change my focus. My focus needs to be on the good, for this is where He has placed me for this time and why would He place me here if it was all bad? Even in the most unpleasant of situations there is a reason we are in that particular situation. Whether it be the people we meet, the experiences we encounter... whatever it may be, that is the good in any situation. I TRULY do have so much to be thankful for at work. In spite of all the difficulty there is SO MUCH that is good.

So, after much thought and prayer...

This week I am thankful for my job and the workplace where I am able to perform those tasks that make up my job.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the many friends You have given to me thru my job over the last 9 years. I have made special friendships that will be lifelong friendships regardless of whether or not we continue to work together in the years to come.

Thank You for the experiences You have given me thru this job. I have grown as a professional, as a person, and as a Christian. I have gained professional experiences that will go with me into whatever may lie ahead of me in the future... whether it be here or somewhere else. I have learned to deal with stress better and to work more productively.

Thank You for a manager that truly understands how to work with people. Thank You for a manager that is a Christian. We have shared praises and thanksgivings together and prayed for each other over the last 9 years and what a blessing that has been! Thank You for a manager that is my friend. She has been with me as I've grown on this job and as so much has changed in my personal life. She has supported me thru it all and tried to make work as easy as it could be as my life changed so very much with the birth of each of my children. I will miss her when she leaves the company the end of June, but I will be forever changed by knowing her and she will always be my friend.

Thank You for the stresses and demands that have been placed on me by my job over the last two years. Thru them I have been forced to make a decision between work or my family. My family won out (as they should) but I think it was good for me to have to stand my ground on that and make a stronger resolution than ever before that nothing on this earth will come between me and my family.

For more "Thankful Thursday" posts visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Word-Filled Wednesday - Luke 19:40

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1 John 2:18-24

"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father".
1 John 2:18-24 NIV


I know that for me whenever I read of the the antichrist, I always think of THE Antichrist. One person that will appear to be good, but is truly evil. A person that will attempt to set himself up as god and attempt to take control of the world.

However, in this passage of scripture that isn't the antichrist of which John is warning. In looking at the words John writes, he tells us that the antichrist is coming (that one person that will seek to control the world), but that many antichrists HAVE ALREADY ARRIVED.

Other antichrists besides THE ONE that we all have heard about and read about in Revelations? I had never thought of this term in any other way but that one. I'm a little slow on the uptake some days, so it took me a bit longer to fully understand what John is saying here. But, the lightbulb did eventually go off and I realized John is referring to people and things in this world today. He is telling us that there are already things in this world that seek to turn us away from the one true God.

How about money? How many people do we know that think the only way to be happy is to be wealthy. Or, the perfect job. Maybe if we had the perfect job and made lots of money doing that perfect job. How many times do we hear that will make us happy? Or, maybe it's to be a part of the "in" crowd and be well-known by all in our community. Surely, that would make us happy?

Sadly, that is the message that is sent out to each and everyone of us each and everyday. That is simply not the case. And, no matter the place of significance we put these things in our lives (even to the point of putting them above God) we will not know true happiness, true peace, true joy until we put God in that top place of significance in our lives. Only when we make God THE GOD in our lives will we know the truth.

However, we can't stop here. We must do more than just believe God to the true God. We must do more than say he is the #1 priority in our lives. We must seek to KNOW God. We must spend time in his Word, we must spend time in prayer, we must abide in Him. As the last part of the scripture states, "As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father."

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - "Let My Words Be Few"

For more "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" posts visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

For a person that loves words and loves speaking words -- according to my family too many words on some days :) -- this song speaks to me. While it is so very true the our Lord is awesome and mighty and magnificent and we have a huge vocabulary of words from which to choose when describing Him, sometimes we need to stop trying to find the words and just be quiet and express our love. We need to just say, "Jesus, I am so in love with You."

Let My Words Be Few
sung by Phillips, Craig & Dean

You are God in heaven
And here am I on earth
So I'll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with You

And I'll stand in awe of You, Jesus
Yes, I'll stand in awe of You
And I'll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with You

The simplest of all love songs
I want to bring to You
So I'll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with You

Thankful Thursday - May 15, 2008

This last weekend was a wonderful celebration of several occasions in our household. On Saturday we celebrated my husband's birthday. On Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day and our 12th Wedding Anniversay.

These special occasions were great reminders of 3 very special blessings in my life. For these, I am so very thankful.

My husband, Jeff... he loves me unconditionally, he supports me unconditionally, and he is one terrific daddy. Jeff has a kind, giving heart and never hesitates to help someone in need. He gives of his time and money to our church and teaches these things to our children. He works hard to support us all and does everything in his power to show us his love and to keep us safe and well. Jeff has a great sense of humor and can quickly turn our frowns to smiles.

My son, Josh... he is 6 yrs and is my always smiling and loving firstborn child. Yes, Josh rarely has anything but a smile on his face. He loves life and lives it to its fullest. He can put a smile on my face simply by grinning at me.... regardless of how poorly I may be feeling. He is free and generous with hugs and kisses. He loves his little sister and loves to play with her and help her when she can't get something done herself. He is so much like his daddy, too, in that he loves to help others. His teachers tell me he offers to help his classmates often and he loves to go with his daddy when helping someone else in need or volunteering to help at church, etc.

My daughter, Abby... she is 3 yrs and is my "sweet girl". Abby is carefree and independent. She wants to do everything her self and no task is too big for her to at least try to accomplish. Abby loves pretend and make believe and will play for hours with her baby dolls, stuffed animals and toy kitchen. She is full of energy and loves the outdoors. And she knows exactly how to melt this Mama's heart. She has an absolutely precious way of coming up to me as close as she can get to my ear. She will then cup her little hands around my ear and whisper, oh, so sweetly, "Mama, I love you." Yes, she too, can make me smile instantly.

Thank you Lord, for my precious family!

For more "Thankful Thursday" posts visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Word-Filled Wednesday - Psalm 63:1

"O God, Thou art my God; I shall seek Thee earnestly; My soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee, In a dry and weary land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1 NIV

This is how I desire to seek God... earnestly and with a thirsting for Him that is strong. As strong as my physical need for water. Unfortunately, way too many times I let our busy schedule get in the way of this need and desire for seeking God. I'm really striving to place my desire for the Lord in a front spot in my life.. and in the life of my family. That is my prayer today on this Word-Filled Wednesday.

For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Picture courtesy of www.christianphotos.net

Willing to be Inconvenienced for God?

Last Sunday in church our pastor spoke of being inconvenienced for God. The questions he asked have stayed with me all week long and have caused me to do some careful consideration of what exactly I am willing to do for God. Or... how willing I am for God to move in my life in a great and mighty way.

When he first asked us the question "Are you willing to be inconvenienced for God?" I wasn't exactly sure what he was trying to say. I was puzzled because I had never thought of God as an inconvenience in my life. However, I quickly discovered the angle he was going with this sermon.

Yes, I want God to be with me wherever I go. Yes, I want God to be a part of my life. Yes, I want to have a relationship with God.

But, would I rather have God move in my life in a quiet way so that others may not notice? Or, do I want to be so joyful in the Lord that I openly and publicly praise His name wherever I go? When I do this, am I willing to open myself up to possible criticisms of those around me?

Do I just want God to be in our Sunday worship services and move quietly throughout the congregation? Or, am I willing for Him to move in such a way that the praises and the sharing continue throughout the day and we miss our Sunday lunch plans? Or, miss the Sunday afternoon football game?

Do I want to have God with me, spend time with Him, but continue to live my daily life of family and career according to what I think is right? Or, am I willing to take the risk of moving away from all that I hold dear in order to follow a different path that God has planned for me?

In the time I have spent this week on these questions, I have discovered that I am not as willing to be inconvenienced for God as I would like to be. I struggle with the thought of the unknown places God could take me and my family if we were open to anything He may have in store for us. I worry far too much about what people think of me to proclaim God's praises from the rooftops. I prefer to let people see God in my life in a quiet way. And, while that can be good... there may be people that don't see God in my life because I am TOO quiet in my walk with the Lord

In the weeks to come I will be praying about this very topic in my own life and the life of my family. I desire to have the type of willingness where it doesn't matter what God asks of me. I desire the type of willingness where it doesn't matter how He may move in our lives.

How about you? Are you willing to be inconvenienced for God?

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - "Holy Is The Lord"

For more "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" posts visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Holy is the Lord
sung by Chris Tomlin

We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He

And together we sing

Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory

We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He

And together we sing
Everyone sing

Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory

It's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renown
It's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renown

And together we sing
And Everyone sing

Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with his glory

1 John 2 :12-17

"I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:12-17 NIV


As Christians, we must grow in much the same way we grow as children into adults. When we first accept Christ and choose to follow Him, we are but little babies. Babies just beginning to grow and learn all there is to know of Christ and His deep, unending love for us. After a time, through much prayer and seeking, we find that we have matured in our relationship with God and have reached something that could be compared with young adulthood. After more time of seeking and striving to know more of God, we reach a time that we could equate with mature adulthood.

Through each of these seasons in our relationship with God we have grown and struggled. We have had times when we are very close in our relationship with God and times when we have strayed. We experience times when we are content in our relationship with God (and sometimes maybe TOO content) and we experience times we we are uneasy and struggle with the directions we see the Lord leading.

In all of these experiences we learn and we grow and we mature. Ultimately finding ourselves in a truly life-changing relationship with our Lord. We find that the ways of world are not important to us anymore and that we live only for God and His desires for our lives.

In finding God we find that we do not have to be OF the world just because we are IN the world. We find that when we love those things of the world we draw further away from God. Part of growing in our relationship with God is learning how to turn away from the things of the world, but still share God's love with the world. After all, that is why God placed us in this world. For in addition to praising God each day of our lives, we are here to share His love with a world in need. A world that needs to hear of God's unending love. God's unending love that can be found in a true relationship with Him.

Thankful Thursday - May 8, 2008

On this Thankful Thursday I am thankful for my mother. I am truly blessed to have the mother the Lord chose for me.

Without her, I would not be the woman that I am today. I would not be the mother to my children that I am today. And I would not be the wife that I am today. She taught me and showed by example how important it is to have a relationship with the Lord, how to be a godly mother, and how to be a godly wife.

She has ALWAYS loved me unconditionally. She has continued to love me and support me thru all the struggles and celebrations of growing into adulthood (and trust me, I wasn't always that easy to love... particulary during those teen years). I can ALWAYS turn to her for advice, assistance, prayer, or just as someone to listen to me when I need to talk.

And not only does she love me unconditionally, but she loves my family unconditionally. Before we even married, she began treating my husband as if he were a member of the family. She is the BEST Grammy to my children. She prays for my husband and children as she has for me all my life. They each know they are truly loved by her as she shows it and tells them regularly.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift you have given me in my mother!


For more "Thankful Thursday" posts visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Word-Filled Wednesday - 2 Corinthians 12:9

For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Picture courtesy of www.christianphotos.net

Trusting God

Several times over the last few weeks I have referenced the fact that I feel God is working in my life and that I see changes up ahead. In March, I shared here how I felt that God was making some changes in my life and how very thankful I am that He is there with me each step of the way. And, in April I shared here how grateful I am that I can turn my worries over to God and mentioned that there were several situations where I needed to be patient and wait for them to resolve.

Today I can still state with confidence that God is working to make some changes in my life and I can still say that I am ever so grateful that I can turn my worries over to Him. However, I must admit that I never saw certain events coming up ahead of me. And, because of these events, I am more and more thankful that I can turn to God. This last week I have been surprised, shocked and saddened by the events that have taken place.

To explain a bit, I probably should back up just a bit and share in more detail. Over the last couple of years, I have had the opportunity to be on a project at work that brought many new challenges and offered a chance for me to grow in many ways. The downside, however, was much stronger in that it forced me to make distinct choices between work and family. It brought much stress into my life and made me question what it was that God really wanted me to do from a professional standpoint.

Over the last few months, the work had slowed a bit but we were beginning to gear up for the next large project. About two weeks ago, the board of directors met and decided they would be delaying this next project for two years. That announcement coupled with many financial problems the company is facing led to a decision to lay off a number of employees in my department. I did not lose my job and have been assured I have a place in the company for as long as I desire. However, it brought about the loss of jobs for two of my most precious co-workers of whom I wrote about in this post. I am saddened to the point that I have shed many tears over the last couple of days. Many tears for them and where this sudden loss of job leaves them and their families. And, quite honestly, tears for me as I look at facing the coming months working without them as part of my team. Months without their constant support to get through the tough times. Months without their smiling faces and constant encouragement.

You see, if it hadn't been for these women I probably would have left the company 4-5 years ago. So, now to know they will no longer be there has led me to begin questioning once again if this is really the place God wants me in the years to come. It makes me wonder if this is one way that God is guiding me towards those changes I feel are up ahead. At the same time, the human part of me is thinking, "God, why does it have to hurt like this? Why do others have to be affected so harshly in order to show me where you want me to be?"

Of course, because God is God, there is probably more to His plan than just where He wants me to be. He looks at the big picture and moves to affect the lives of many. I realize He may have a plan for my former co-workers (ouch... I don't like using that word "former") and this is how He is working in their lives. And, at the same time, He is using the same situation to work in my life, as well.

All of this to say... I know God is working in my life. It is causing me to lean on Him even more. I have spent the last few days listening for God's voice, crying, praying, playing all my favorite Christian songs. All these things seeking His comfort. Seeking His guidance.

I am finding comfort in God. I have determined that I may never know WHY God chose to work in this particular way, but I trust that He knows best.

I feel that there is not a short ending to story. Not for me and not for my dear friends that lost their jobs this last week. But, I do know, that God is with us and He will not let us walk this road alone. He will show us the way if we are listening. For me and my family, He is already showing us some possibilities if only we will be patient.

In closing, I'd like to share a scripture that has always been a favorite of mine and that has gained a more personal meaning to me over the last few months. I have a feeling I will be turning to this scripture many times in the months to come.

"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."
Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - "Everlasting God"

Oh, how I love the promise that God will not grow faint and will not grow weary! That He will lift us up on wings as eagles! I find such comfort in this song and pray that all those that hear it will find that same comfort. It IS such a wonderful promise from God.

Everlasting Godsung by Chris Tomlin

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

1 John 2:7-11

"Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes." 1 John 2:7-11 NIV

I have read this passage of scripture many times over the years, but I don't believe I have ever fully realized what these new and old commandments are that John is referencing. I knew that John was referencing the love of Jesus, but have never taken it much further. I did some additional reading in my trusty online commentary and found that John is referring to the commandment in the Old Testament of "Love thy neighbor as thyself." and the commandment in the New Testament of "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34 NIV)

Before Jesus spent time on this earth there was really no comparison of how to love except for the way a person loved himself. However, with the birth of Jesus, his death and resurrection, the world saw a new kind of love. The love that Jesus has for each one of us. A love that loves us when we don't deserve to be loved. A love that loves us when we are not lovable. A love that is sacrificial. Sacrificial even to death on the cross.

As Christians, we must have this kind of love to walk in the light of God. We must be able to love rather than hate. We must be able to forgive instead of holding on until it makes us bitter ourselves.

Showing this kind of love is one of the ways we can show the world we are Christians. There are many people out there that don't understand forgiveness. What a wonderful way to show them what God can and will do for them if we have hearts full of forgiveness for our fellow man!

Once again John has showed us how we can walk in the light of God rather than the darkness. My prayer today is that each of us will choose to love with the love of God... a love that forgives, a love that is unconditional, a love that is sacrificial.

Thankful Thursday - May 1, 2008

This week I am thankful for wonderful school teachers. I have realized for a couple of years now how very fortunate my children have been with their preschool teachers. Both of them have had wonderful, loving, caring teachers. Women that openly showed their love to each of the children in their classroom.

This year we made the big step into public school as my son started kindergarten. While I had heard nothing but wonderful things about his elementary school, I still entered this phase with him with some trepidation. However, we once again were fortunate to have a wonderful teacher. Not only that, but a Christian teacher. And, while she is limited in sharing her faith directly with the children, she shows it daily in the way she teaches and shows her love for each child. Not only that, but I have since discovered that there are a number of teachers in his school that are Christians and the assistant principal is a member of our church. I know these women cannot protect from everything that is out there, but I do know they will do whatever is in their power. And I know their influence on my children will be positive.

As I am writing this post on Wednesday evening, we have returned from a school field trip to the zoo. I went along as a chaperone and once again was able to see how each of the kindergarten teachers led their classrooms of children. It was brought home to me once again how fortunate we have been with the teachers our children have been given. I am so very thankful for these wonderful teachers the Lord has placed in the lives of my children.

Thank you, Lord, for Christian teachers that love and guide our children.


For more "Thankful Thursday" posts visit Iris at Sting My Heart.