“There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant…” -Romans 8:14,15 MSG

I love to remind people of what they have, not what they don’t have. The grave-tending life is a life of lacks, wants, needs, unfulfilled hopes, and woulda shouldas. It is obsessed with the past. It measures its future by its past. It laments what was, or could have been.

We’ve been sharing in meetings recently about how and why God is really your best friend, and how the real power of living is found in knowing God, the person. If we just consider that His Love is absolute, that it does not compare to human love, (not even close); then we are on our way to enjoying a friendship with God that is better than we ever thought possible.

Have you ever gotten into an argument with someone and found yourself stuck in “defense mode”? “If only they could see it from my perspective, they’d see how wrong they are!”

Or, have you ever stumbled once again and thought, “I can never change! This will never get better”?

God so loved…the world [that includes you, friend] that He sent His dearly beloved Son [Jesus]…So that you might truly LIVE!

Did you know you are a life-giver? It’s your superpower. The Bible says: “The first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit… As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.” (1 Corinthians 15:45,48)

There is a quality in the heart that produces fertile ground for the things of God to grow: it’s called humility. Humility is that gentle knowing that reminds you of the grandness of God and your sweet dependence upon His goodness. It is neither thinking too much nor too little of yourself. Rather, it considers there may be something new to learn or a fresh way of seeing an old problem or being open to a different perspective.

You have immense value to your Creator. You are seen. Your Father has never stopped looking for ways to convince you of Truth: the truth of who you are; the truth of who He is; the truth of what was accomplished on the cross so that you could live in true freedom.

Thank you for trusting Christ with your life. Because you have done this, you have within you what God wanted for you all along. Not only have you been given everything you need for life and godliness, you have a Counselor, an Encourager, a loving Holy Spirit within you, leading and guiding you in all truth. This is the best position to be in as you encounter life as we know it in this fallen world.

Did you know that social researchers have found that most Americans are resistant to experiencing joy? It’s because they want to protect themselves from appearing weak, getting disappointed, hurt, or being taken for a sucker. Many people have chosen to live somewhere between “not too happy” and “not too sad.” They flatline. But in keeping themselves psychologically “safe,” they end up missing the whole purpose of living: to experience the joy of being loved by their good Father.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (3 John 1:2)

This prayer is from John, the disciple who knew Jesus loved him. He was convinced of Jesus’ good thoughts and feelings toward him. He was at rest in that love. Because he was secure, he could impart that type of life to those around him, and to us today.

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says theLord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)

We believe this one truth may perhaps be the most important thing we ever come to learn on this earth: that we are 100% loved and cherished by our Creator.

Have you asked God for some weakness lately?  It’s really a great gift (and it’s one we don’t even need to ask for, because we already have it).  It fact, most of us are probably trying to get rid of it.

Don’t despise your weakness!  It’s the portal to power.

Peace with God has come because God and sinner are reconciled in Christ.  His Spirit is not striving with man.  He is not taking account of our sins.  God’s saving grace has revealed a Love that’s bigger than our mind can define.  We just know that it’s a Love with no conditions.  We now know that God is absolute Love, and nothing we do can ever change who He is. 

God has no enemies, and we really don’t need any either.  The beautiful gospel reveals the absolute and unlimited Love of God for us all (John 3:16).  This is actually the same Love that was poured into our hearts by His Spirit (Romans 5:5), and when we are aware of it, we experience the wonderful joy and peace of the kingdom of Heaven within us.

Last year, as we were touring Yellowstone Park, Judi would sometimes say, “Look. Love did that.”

We felt like we were being loved by God with every gorgeous sight we saw.  It made us think and talk about how only Love could create the things that were made for us to enjoy.

Sometimes, I get the impression that a lot of believers in Christ think that we are in a battle that could possibly be lost as if the church and the ways of God are teetering on the edge of annihilation or, at least ineffectiveness. I have GOOD NEWS!  God’s kingdom is NOT fragile!

“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” – 1 John 1:3-4

Everyone has something that they speak most about, are most passionate about.  When you think of them, you often think of their favorite subject also.  With some, it’s political ideas, with others, religion, with some, art or music, with others it’s sports. 

The apostle Paul angrily wished some troublemakers would castrate themselves.  Disciples James and John wanted to burn some Samaritans with fire for rejecting them.  The prophet Elisha caused some boys to be killed by a bear because the boys had made fun of the thin-skinned, vindictive prophet.

I love to remind people of what they have, not what they don’t have.  The grave-tending life is a life of lacks, wants, needs, unfulfilled hopes, and woulda shouldas.  It is obsessed with the past.  It measures its future by its past.  It laments what was, or could have been.